Well That Escalated Quickly...

As I'm sure is true in pretty much every district in the US (hopefully), our schools have now been closed indefinitely. My district was on spring break last week, and were informed then that the district would be closed this week as well. Then yesterday we received word that schools are now closed with no return date, and the situation will be re-evaluated every two weeks. I hope we can return before the end of the year. I can't imagine not getting to say good-bye to these kids I love so much, before they move on to seventh grade.

I worry about my students, as I teach Resource and my kiddos can't afford to miss school. These final two and a half months are just as important as the first two and a half. I worry so much about all the things they still need to learn - how math just keeps building and building on previous concepts, and they're already struggling with the things we have just learned, how will they go on to 7th grade math without these two months' worth of  additional skills? And what about those who struggle with the writing process, who need practice and encouragement in exploring their ideas, shaping their narratives, editing, revising, the whole sha-bang? And for me kids who have great comprehension, but read slowly and struggle with decoding? or those who are great readers but can't tell me what they just read? My anxiety level goes through the roof just thinking about all I still have to teach them before they leave sixth grade.

BUT, this is absolutely what must happened. I regularly speak with my good friend I mentioned in my previous post, the one who lives in Italy and is due to have her baby April 5th, but could go at any time. She sees what is happening in the US and is concerned, because she said so many people in Italy first thought as so many here did - it's no big deal, just the flu.

Side note: if you are still peddling the bullshit about it being 'just the flu', how about shut up already, okay?

She hopes our measures will be enough, but my friends in the medical field are worried that it is not enough and that it is already too late. I don't want to be an alarmist, but we have to face reality - people are carrying the virus. showing no symptoms, and infecting others. This 'social distancing' is going to save lives - if these stupid, healthy young people would just stop congregating in massive groups.

Side note: Stop telling Millennials to go home, stay away from bars, etc. Everyone seems to forget we are grown now, the bulk of us in our mid-late 30s, early 40s. It's the generation AFTER us that you need to be lecturing, thankyouverymuch. 

So, until time unfreezes and we can return to our new normal, I am keeping Eleanor's schedule as normal as possible. We are getting out for walks, reading, writing, math-ing, science-ing and social studies-ing. I am really proud of my district for getting learning materials together for students to do for the next three weeks, and they plan to put together more learning packets now to prepare for schools remaining closed beyond that.

I am a certified teacher with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and a Master's Degree in Special Education (K-6 Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-6 Learning Disabilities, and K-12 Behavior Disorders/Emotional Disturbance).

If you need any assistance with helping your child with work while they are home, please ask! I will do my very best to answer any questions, guide instruction, recommend more resources and websites, whatever I can do to help.

We've got this. We will be okay.

Sincerely,

Sarah and Eleanor