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