Yesterday we stopped to talk to a recent graduate of UCF as she was surveying a newly hatched nest. She counts all the egg fragments and looks at the embryonic stage of each unhatched egg.
I am so thankful for morning beach walks to keep my world centered right now as everything seems to change on a daily basis.
Last week the proposal was to send kids back to school on a block schedule with no mandated masks. This week the masks are "expected" and the schedule is still a block, but the teachers will be simultaneously teaching the kids who are in school and those who are choosing to still stay home.
So with three weeks left before the start of school, I am to redesign my curriculum for multiple classes to fit into a single semester, develop a robust digital plan and figure out how to manage virtual and physical students at the same time while trying not to let everyone get sick and die. Someone did the math and decided that statistically only 17 students in our school district are likely to die.
I've been actively applying for online teaching jobs, but I really do love what I do and virtual teaching seems so impersonal. I ended up with a tutoring job out of the search, but I'm not sure that I can keep it up when the school year starts.
No pressure.
So maybe a bit of sewing will soothe my soul.
Hoping the beginning of school plans are to your liking. It's stressful for everybody and we can't please everyone. Good luck in advance on your 2020-2021 school year for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThis school year is going to be a tough one. I need to make masks for our 8 year old grandson. The school provides 3 but I don't know if that means daily, weekly, monthly or by the semester.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can revamp your curriculum in 3 weeks and get everything organized. Glad you have your morning beach walks. Blessings!
I have a morning photo like the one of the clouds... makes me smile whenever I see it! Wow.... 17 in the statistic is 17 too many. It appears Marion is delaying 2 weeks on opening right now and masks are mandatory.. no mask then you are sent home for virtual learning. I worry so much about the teachers, you all are put in such a difficult position. Sending prayers that all of you are somehow safe through all this. How is she enjoying Maine? I'm missing those cooler nights up north about now.
ReplyDeleteOh, Angela! My heart goes out to you, as you wade thru the mounds of work to make each students "school experience" the best that it can be. Stay safe and give us an Anna update when you can. I've been wondering how she's doing with her summer camp job.
ReplyDeleteYup--as usual, put it all on the teachers, right? Impossible --and then who will get blamed if it doesn't work out? ;000
ReplyDeleteHang in there...we appreciate your dedication--I am worried about my grandchildren returning this Fall/August..there is no good answer...
Stay safe...
Love your sandy surprise and that morning sunrise is beautiful...if only we could stay in those moments...
~ ~ ~ waving from afar julierose
What a terrible mess it is dealing with the constantly changing plans for schools. I don't envy you having to navigate your way through it. My sister-in-law is an English teacher and department head, and she is going through the same kinds of challenges. Good luck, your friends here at the RSC are all behind you!
ReplyDeleteoh, only 17 will die... statistically... except they aren't statistics they are real, loved, vivid children with futures that might include, if they are taught facts, future discoveries to help the world.
ReplyDeleteguess this is why states are told not to tell our national CDC actual numbers of dead, so Americans won't know how many people are infected and dying. I woke yesterday worrying about teachers, carrying disease to their own families, kids sharing virus load at lunch and playgrounds. It's hard to be upbeat while actually knowing what is going on in our world. It is a world wide crisis... it's real and has to be seen to be corrected.
right?
I'm with LeAnna! Only 17! How can we even consider that! My great grandson is in Florida. He will be at home online. He's 6- almost 7. Another great grandson in Phoenix AZ area. I haven't heard yet their solution. I know kids need the personal interactions, see my quote in my post, but .....
ReplyDeleteFlorida's governor... I have no words!!
Our poor schools all over the country are trying hard to find a plan that will make education happen as safely as possible. We're seeing similar things happening with the school plans here too. I'm just waiting for our governor to "ban" schools from requiring masks. I'm guessing she will eventually do that - as she has never been seen wearing one herself. SD never shut down and our Dept of Health TV spots only mention hand washing, never mentioning masks.
ReplyDeleteOnly 17 is 17 too many.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot to try to do in just a few weeks! Our district had all kinds of scenarios planned, but now we are going to start completely online (California). We don't start until September so I have time to plan. I hope you have a good team and everyone helps each other out. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI envy your beach, but not your governor. That "only 17" is absolutely appalling.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family can all stay safe and healthy and strong. Wishing you so much luck in the coming school year.
I'm thinking of you and all teachers and students and their families, and well really, everyone this week as schools grapple with what to do. I don't know if you've seen the website teacherhabits dot com, but there's a thought-provoking (and scary) article about the dilemma of opening schools and the need for planning for all situations--and the impact the illness of just one teacher could have on multiple schools, families and community. Must-read for anyone who is "in charge" of opening schools. I do hope you get some bits of time for soul-soothing sewing. Meanwhile, keep drawing solace from that beautiful view.
ReplyDeleteSeventeen child lives Just in your district. And that doesn’t include potential faculty and staff lives. We’ve been reduced to statistics (and probably inaccurate ones if the current Administration is in charge). This whole situation is unacceptable. My heart goes out to you teachers who are getting double the workload, bearing so much added risk, and all while being underpaid and under-appreciated. We are with you in solidarity. Wish we could do more.... xo
ReplyDeleteI don't even have words any more. All I can say is hang in there, we'll all get through this together!
ReplyDeleteHi Angela,
ReplyDeleteLove the sand snowman...so cute. We have
opted for remote school...have a great day!
And how many teachers and staff, who are older and more often at risk? I feel for you, I really do. The whole thing is a mess, all over, from kindergarten to grad school. I hope Florida works it out, and most of all I hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy!
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart goes out to you. I have no wise words, just prayers and virtual hugs.
ReplyDeleteThe sunrise photo is awesome!
I am so sorry you are having such a stressful time. Three weeks to develop a whole new way to teach multiple classes, online and in person? That's just insane. These kinds of changes are hard even in the best of times, with advance notice and lots of support. In the middle of a pandemic, with huge amounts of anxiety and uncertainty, it's a nightmare. I wish you all the best as you deal with this. Good teachers like you will always be needed, and should be appreciated more by everyone. Good luck, and hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, that sounds incredibly stressful. I've been wondering how districts that offer online and in-person options are doing that simultaneous, same for rotating blocks of students. It's such a mess!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your decision. I taught math in a high school for 38years and have spent the last 5 teaching college math at a local college. In Feb I told my supervisor that it would be my last semester. This is such a difficult decision.
ReplyDeleteA baby sea turtle !! How cool is that?
ReplyDeletei appreciate your frank comments about the teaching situation...in my city, all the city gov't whines about is the restaurants...there are 80 in the downtown area...the school situation is way more important than keeping 80 restaurants afloat...
ReplyDelete