The school year, one that all of us will remember forever, is drawing to a close. This summer, I wasn't sure how we were going to make it work no matter what type of school we chose. I was worried about the kids' physical health, mental / social / emotional health, learning, and development, and it seemed like all of the choices involved gigantic trade-offs. We ended up putting Josh in school based distance learning, Zoey in full time in person learning, and Ivy in home school. I'm happy to say that, as a whole, the year went WAY better than expected. Here's a little more info on how it went for all of them, for those who are interested:
Josh (Distance Learning) - Josh was the one that I felt most backed into the corner and unsure on the learning choice. His doctors advised that he stay home. We wanted his IEP to continue, which didn't seem like an option with home school (i think maybe it would've been with some extended working it out, but neither me nor the school had time for that). Zoom learning all day long sounded dreadful. As it turns out, this is a format that has worked great for Josh (and I'm so grateful, because I know this has not been the case for many kids, and we did nothing special to make this happen, it was just a lucky break). The teacher is awesome and has worked really hard to make it as good as can be. The schedule gives breaks throughout the day. I've been able to help him in places where he gets stuck, which has allowed him to show the knowledge he has. (This is particularly helpful in things like writing, science, and social studies, where he has lots of good ideas, but it helps him to have someone be the scribe as he gets his words out orally.) I think there are important things he gets from being in school in person - learning to act independently, friendships, the team of professional teachers and therapists providing the education - but the positive experience of him being home this year is making me think more open mindedly about what might be best for him in the future regarding school.
Zoey (In Person Learning) - Reno offered full time in person learning for elementary students starting way back in August, so Zoey's been attending in person for the entire school year. Our school required masks for all students, kept each class size small and more podded than usual (lunch in classrooms, no assemblies, etc.), did hand washing each time students left and re-entered the classroom. The school did not have any outbreaks that caused the entire school to shut down, and I will also say that, due to these covid protocols, we didn't have any of the viruses that we usually deal with during the winter months (hurray!!). Zoey was so happy to be back in person. She loves her teacher, she enjoys classroom friends, and she strongly prefers in person learning to Zoom screens. I don't think she minds wearing the mask much, and I don't think the year has felt nearly as different to her as it probably does to the teachers who have to adhere to the covid restrictions.
[May 18th Addendum: This week, as the CDC made their announcement that vaccinated people are safe to unmask while unvaccinated people should continue to mask, our school district made the baffling decision to let ages 9 and under unmask, while continuing to require all adults (including the many who have been vaccinated) to mask. This seems to me to be the exact opposite of what the CDC said to do, and puts students who are in families who are still trying to protect vulnerable ones in a very awkward and difficult situation - school leaders are saying you can unmask, school peers are largely unmasking, parents and doctors are still telling you to mask, and you're a kid who shouldn't be in this awkward position. I'm not happy about this at all, but it should be noted that most in the district seem to be rejoicing over the newfound freedom for their kids.]
Ivy ("Home School") - This path has been the hardest. Ivy is a delight, so it's not about her - it's that, by the time kids hit ages 3-5, it's fun to be able to take them out in the world. If there was no covid and no distance learning, I would have used this year to take her to playdates and library story time and museums and parks and hikes. Instead, at least during the school hours of M-F 9-5, we had to be home, and I often had to be ready to break to help Josh with school stuff. Ivy and I started strong with workbooks and board games and puzzles, but we've been through our entire collection soooo many times and we're both pretty over it. Book time and art time are still really good, and we're both happy with the warming weather to enjoy more outdoor time. But this is the one where the constraints of the year have been the hardest. Ivy has one more year before she starts kindergarten, so I'm hoping that year will allow for more of the out and about life that both of us are craving.
In conclusion - tons of credit to the hard working school staff, who have figured out new ways to do everything about their job in order to reach kids. For in person learners, I think the adaptability of kids was a help - many of them can handle wearing masks and changes in routine better than us adults - and it sounds like the year was positive, not just for my kid but for most. For distance learning, that went well for us by the grace of God, and I'm sorry to those of you who have had a more difficult time of it. And for homeschool, we're happy to see the world opening back up and looking forward to enjoying it!
I would love to hear how the school year went for all of you, both local Northern Nevada friends and friends in other places in the country and world! Tell me in the comments!
