School in the time of Covid 19

The biggest change for our children, I believe, is school. They had spring break early in March and came back to the schols being closed. I don't think it was on anyone's radar at that point that they wouldn't be going back to school for a while. Originally the first two days after spring break were called off by the school district. Then the governor called off the next week and a half. Then the shelter at home order came for two weeks in April and has now been extended into May. Other states have called off the remain school year. We're not sure if we'll be going back or not.

So I haven't been working for about a month and a half now. There is no need for substitute teachers, of course. But the teachers are busy. Our state started doing distance learning at the beginning of April. It was good once it started--the kids needed it. Our middle schoolers have all of their classes every day. Their teachers make a folder online with the weeks' work. Each day they go in and do a lesson and the work. They can choose when they want to do it. Only one of my son's classes has had a live video chat.

The high school spilt the school day into an A and B day. They only have 5 periods, so A day has 3 and B day has 2. In between the classes the teachers are available for questions or other needs. Some of those classes are taught live online. Others have a video lesson to watch and work to do. They've had a fair amount of homework (at least in the AP & Pre-AP classes that our kids have).

The vidoe classes have been good in that the kids kind of get to interact with other students. I think that's what the children are missing most--the social interaction--that and normalcy, of course.

For their PE classes, they're supposed to get in 30 minutes of exercise a day: walking, running, playing tennis, shooting hoops, dancing, weight lifting, situps/pushups, etc. That's been helpful in getting them up and moving and usually going outside.

But my middle schooler is missing the hands-on part of his industrial technology class. The musicians won't get to do concerts this year. My step-daughter didn't get to perform the musical she had been rehearsing for. And then there's my nephew and guys from youth group who are seniors and missing out on that whole experience--prom, last days with their friends, maybe even graduation itself.

I think it's giving everyone an appreciation for school again--even those who typically hate going to school most days.