VIrtual School

What can I say about virtual school?

I can say a lot, most of it not very appropriate. Ha! It has been hard. And overwhelming some days.

I mean, listen, the teachers have been doing a spectacular job. All the boys really lucked out on great teachers this year. Is is unfortunate we have yet to be in the classroom with them. I can not imagine how much work this has been for the teachers. They are doing an amazing job!

We did "Meet the Teacher" as a drive-by in the circular drive (in the rain) of the school and picked up a bag of school supplies from the school to get ready for the first day. I did not anticipate how emotional I would be for this. It just made me really sad. I just hate this for my kids. The masks....no touching....social distancing...school from home on a computer all day....no fun first day of school, or seeing friends. It just hit me as we did our drive by and I was so sad and in disbelief that this is where we are. 

Nonetheless, the first day of school finally rolled around after being pushed back by three weeks. We had all the boys set up at the desk upstairs on new computers. I had a lot of anxiety surrounding school starting...how will this work, how long will this go on, the HUNDREDS of e-mails with zoom links, log in instructions, passwords, schedules, directions, corrected zoom links, coffee talks, FAQ e-mails about returning to school. How will I be able to work or leave the house, ever. How will the boys mental health be? How will ours be?!?  How in the world is this going to work for us??

This is how it looks in reality though....Cash is like a nomad and roams around the house picking different places for school. Eli and Owen mostly stay at their desk. Occasionally Owen will set up in his room.

So now we are 5 weeks in. We have had some good days, bad days, and everything in between. Lots of tears. But also lots of time riding bikes, and the boys meeting friends at the cafe, lazy mornings and sleeping in, and lots and lots of time outside playing.  I am not sure our bikes have ever gotten so much action!

Recess one day was playing in the rain!

I have gotten to go on picnic lunch dates in the middle of the day....

Baking just for fun....

Are they learning anything? I have no idea. They are certainly better using the computer and have learned to e-mail teachers independently. Is this what is best for their mental health? I have no idea. Is there any good option? I don't think so. But we have also had a lot of fun being home together!

Our school started phasing in students for face to face (well, on the computer, but in the classroom) learning this week. We currently do not have a date that we are planning to start. I go back and forth and back and forth about what is best for us at this point. We are waiting to see how the first couple weeks go and then will most likely start Owen and Cash back up. Eli will not go back until GMS starts rotating classes. TC is still home with us and have no plans yet to send him back to preschool...honestly he is living his best life having all his brothers home all the time!