Tuesday 3/23

I haven't reflected here in a bit. I am also keeping a journal so sometimes I forget about this space. I am sitting here worrying about you guys. I overindulged in the news yesterday and was feeling overwhelmed by the scope of this virus and its effects on our health and economy. I felt like the assignment for today should be lighter. Many of you indicated that you are feeling like you have too much work. This "learning at home" stuff is weird for your teachers too. School isn't designed to be packaged and sent home. You know how often  I say, learning is social. It really is. Our lessons don't translate that well to paper and sometimes we underestimate how long it takes for work to be done. Sometimes we overestimate how clear our directions are. It's tricky. I feel like you underestimate your importance to us. I chose teaching because of you. I get bogged down sometimes with day to day nonsense and occasionally feel defeated but then one of you comes through my door and shows me why I am here. You make me laugh, you smile, you make mistakes and jump right back up, you tolerate my mistakes, you accept and reject my advice but you let me give it. You, all of you, with your goofiness, earnestness and generosity bring me joy. That is why I teach and that is why I worry about you now. Don't overindulge in the news, let us know if you are frustrated with the work, and find joy. Celebrate something by writing about it.

Tuesday 3/17

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I went into school today for my last time until we open again. On my way into school I was paying super close attention to what sort of potential contact I had with germs and dang, it was a ton! I feel like I was extremely careful and I still could not avoid some sort of interaction that could possibly spread the virus if I had it. I am so glad we closed school and that I have the ability to work from home. Since I last wrote, NYS has limited social gatherings to fewer than 10. I think it is wise that ALL of us who are able, stay home and keep our germs to ourselves. We can still go outside, we can still watch tv, call people, use our phones, play games BUT we should not be in physical contact for at least 15 days so the virus can start to be contained. Additionally, I have just learned that there is a confirmed case at AMC here in SL. This makes me even more sure we need to stay away from one another as much as possible. My extreme thanks goes out to all of the essential service providers on the front lines. the doctors, nurses, staff at our hospitals who are putting themselves out there to help those in dire straights are heroes. The grocery store workers, the pharmacists and janitors who are working to keep us afloat need a big round of credit as well. As a community we need to support one another and appreciate the generosity of those around us. The time to act is now.

Monday 3/16

It has been the strangest last few days. As the Coronavirus begins to surround us, I feel like I am living in a Twilight Zone episode. It is amazing to think that a week ago, we were asked to consider what we might do if we were forced to close schools due to the virus and now we are closed. I am working hard to get this "learn from home" material up and running. It has proven difficult in that I know kids are going to struggle with the at home component of learning just like adults do. I want them to do meaningful work but I want to be able to make that work flexible so they are not tied to a strict schedule. I know some will be watching younger siblings or will have other commitments and will need to do the work at a time other than when we would normally meet. I know I want to try to maintain the sense of community I feel with them. I really do miss the daily interaction and am worried about how each of them is processing this. I know many are excited to be home instead of in school but I know things are going to get stressful for all of us and I just hope they all have a good network of support. It seems hourly things are changing. Our lives are being disrupted in ways I could never have imagined. As I worry about the toll it will take on our health both physical and mental, I like to remember that there are people who have endured so much more than this. We will have to dig in but if Anne Frank could remain silent and inside for 2 years, we can certainly social distance for a month. We need to look out for each other and muster the courage to continue on. I am hopeful I can stay in touch with my kids and facilitate some learning in these troubled times. Here is the latest:

#BREAKING: NY, CT and NJ are taking joint regional action to reduce the spread of #COVID19: Effective 8PM TONIGHT: -Crowd capacity reduced to 50 -Restaurants/bars will be takeout/delivery ONLY -Gyms closed -Movie theaters closed -Casinos closed