e-Learning here we come!
August was a whirlwind of emotions as the days leading up to school's start (though delayed, for more preparation time for teachers and administrations) came upon us all. Daniel was to be starting middle school, which has its own newness and challenges, on top of his normal so-so feelings about school in general. Annabel was just plain excited and could hardly wait. I was all over the place emotionally and nervous about the e-Learning endeavor (mainly because spring learning was a waste of time and we'd be starting middle school, a whole new can of worms...still, I was in the camp of wait & see and giving schools the benefit of the doubt that it would indeed be better), but also glad to be delaying in-person schooling.
We had some things to work with logistically space-wise, tech-wise, timing-wise, as well as some supplies to line up (most of which we had, we just had to locate them and find homes for them...while at the same time NOT losing track of them so when we do go back...although I've just the other day realized- won't they need supplies in BOTH places once they're back in hybrid learning? Hmm...). Then of course we had the various "welcome" emails and videos coming at me non-stop toward the end of August, in addition to setting up both kids on Canvas, our new communication platform (this meant the kids had to find and give me a special code to "observe" their classes- so much new new new!!! talk about head spinning!!), plus locating all Zoom links for ALL classes/teachers, PLUS the picking up of various supplies at both the middle school and elementary level (on different days, thankfully), not to mention charging all devices, locating extension cords and wires and headphones, printing schedules, etc. etc. We were busy! Nevermind, groceries, laundry, library and ice cream runs and so on. Oh oh oh- AND somewhere in there Daniel had a special 5th grade Drive Through Celebration Day to pick up yearbooks and wave goodbye to 5th grade teachers- that was different, too, and bittersweet. (Haha- all of the above was originally a run-on sentence, it's slightly better now after edits...but really, I think it captures the run-on-state of my mind and life for those days pretty well!)
So much going on! Some days I was a basket case of nerves, most days I was fine and reminded myself- it is what it is, and will be what it will be, and it will all be okay. (Spoiler alert- it's going really well, after all! Of course it is!!) Anyway, it sounds like a lot and it was, but really, it was also a lot of fun. Mind spinning, but fun. I always did love the beginning of the school year- a pile of new books and notebooks, bouquets of pencils (name that movie), and the excitement of the new year. It really can be refreshing and re-energizing and we all needed that.
And now for all pictures school prep related!
One striking image from our school district slides about how school will look different. What a different world!
Peter Reynolds shared this image on his Instagram account..."ish" indeed!
This was from picking up supplies at Daniel's middle school. Five lanes, five cars, assigned times by last name (although we were early enough that you can see it's not busy just yet), name in the window, trunk open, they radio your name into the gym, you sign some papers, someone comes and drops your stuff in the trunk and off you go. Daniel had to come with to sign papers, too. Real fun. Annabel was thrilled to see what Daniel got, lol! She was also quite jealous at a) the things he got and b) that he even got to get them (her pick up would not be till the very day before school, while Daniel's was two weeks before I think). She was also super jealous of Daniel's new Chromebook, too. While Daniel couldn't have cared less about the books and supplies, he did love the new Chromebook and had fun getting acquainted with it. Fun fun. Different times. (We actually had another pick up a week or so ago for Daniel. I had just been wondering if they were going to send more stuff home when I got the email- funny timing. And I'm sure that's not the end of it either.)
Somewhere in all this, Shutterfly sent me this email reminder, from five years ago...Daniel's first day of first grade, new school and all! And now that same boy would be starting a new school new year again in just a couple weeks- this time 6th grade/middle school. Cue the tears!
Daniel's middle school schedule!! I printed multiple copies of this and taped them up all over the place, plus the bell schedule, too. Anyway, this schedule brought back my days of getting my schedules in middle/high school. You know, I still have nightmares about not finding my classrooms or being late for class and such. Yep, still. It haunts me. And no it never actually happened. I know Daniel will be just fine, too!! He's so responsible, he really is.
Finally- at long last, Annabel's turn!! First- she got her teacher assignment- a teacher named, appropriately for the pandemic, Mrs. Mask! Her best friend is in her class, too (not that they'll ever like actually see each other in class). AND- the bonus, super fun part of getting this teacher is that we know she is a major Harry Potter fan! Annabel was thrilled! And then days later, she was thrilled when her teacher sent links to her Welcome Video and Canvas website. We had a lot of fun surfing around all that! Annabel's gonna have a good year, I know it!
Annabel's turn for supply pick up! She simply could not wait till I came home with her big bag. The system works well- I went at my assigned time based on last name, pulled right up, popped my trunk, got my supplies (and a friend's supplies) and was on my way lickety split (I actually took a detour afterwards to Starbucks to surprise my kids with their summer favorites one last time..S'mores Frappuccinos- the line there was longer than the supply pickup line, haha!). When I got home, Annabel immediately went through everything in her bag with the biggest smile on her face! She was SO excited! And school was starting the next day!!! Talk about hyped up!! Annabel was practically bouncing with excitement. So cute!
Annabel's Honors Math and PI (Honors Reading, basically) teacher also sent a Welcome Video in which she shared the supplies she sent home. I just found this whole video thing so weird. I couldn't imagine teaching in these times. Alas. Anyway, Annabel was most excited about her PI supplies, which was cute- she couldn't wait to see what books they would read (she was bummed to find she'd already read two of them, but I'm sure there'll be others!).
Daniel's teachers sent a Welcome Video, too (I actually cried for that one- it's just so dang weird!). This one had fun music and was just a slide show featuring teachers' photos and their families and pets and favorite things and where they went to college and so on. But seriously- 6th grade! And this way- wild, weird, sad. He's Team "Flyers" which is just how they group kids within the building and that's his new school there, too. He's been in the gym once, I've been in the gym once, and we've been in the parking lot (twice now). Some year.
So fun to go through Annabel's schedule and notes from her teacher. We were delighted at the "Fantasticos" reference- from a fave summer read, Fish in a Tree! How fun that we "got" that!
Her smile and excitement...couldn't be brighter!! Annabel is making sure everything is ready to go for school the next day, Zoom links, Canvas set up and all. She had even sent her teacher a note on Canvas already by this point and they were "chatting" back and forth a few times. So sweet. Annabel was delighted to learn her teacher is a Ravenclaw just like she is! So fun.
I was so impressed with Daniel's diligence in going through and making sure he had all his Zoom links lined up, his schedule covered, and all that day before school. (I was more nervous than he was!) He may not have been excited or eager to start, but he was indeed responsible and ready anyway. I was so proud. He really was so grown up about it.
And now...at last...it's the Night Before School!!
