September 2020
The 2020-2021 school year is starting off in a very unconventional way but 1st day pictures are still a must. My amazing girls continue to grow and learn and COVID-19 can't stop that from happening.
On August 27th Rachael began her Sophomore year of college at UMBC. There were hopes of in-person class when we registered her for her classes back in the Spring but by the beginning of summer class after class changed its modality to on-line instruction. Other colleges in Maryland commited to in-person classes, only to have large covid-19 outbreaks and quarantines. Most of the colleges have had to go to virtual classes even while having kids live on Campus. It has been very stressful to many families and I am grateful that we haven't had to rework our plans multiple times. Rachael doesn't love online class but she is trying to make connections with classmates and stay on top of assignments. Rae and a bunch of friends have been looking into getting an apartment but so far nothing concrete has materialized.
On Aug 31st Johanna started a completely new adventure at Our Lady of Victory School for 2nd grade. We had struggled in the spring with online learning and as it became obvious that public school would not be back in person we started considering other options. Johanna did not like the impersonal virutal classroom experience. She was frequently sad after a Google Meet class because there were so many times that she wanted to say something or respond to a friend and it just couldn't happen with 27 kids on one screen. We looked into OLV since it is our parish school and after visiting and talking with them and Johanna. We decided to register her for 2nd grade. We had a lot of questions about distancing and safety and procedures for the what if scenarios, and we know that nothing is completely safe but we were satisfied with the precautions they had in place. We have to do a symptom questionnaire each morning and Jo gets her temperature checked each morning before she gets out of the car at drop off. there are 12 kids in her class in person and 5 online at home. I spent a few weeks scrambling to get uniforms, Jim took her out for shoes, and we did a school supply run. Johanna liked her uniform and shoes so that was reassuring. I sat down and sewed a dozen new masks for her, so she could have new one everyday and some spares.
Her first week back was hard though. There were so many news things. New teacher, new building, new classmates, new routines, and no siblings in the same process. Johanna was quiet on her first few days when we picked her up. She rated her first day a 75% and her 2nd only at 25%, most of the negative was stressful situations around her and her fear of something bad happening to us when we were apart. Wednesday she cried and cried and didn't want to go to school. Luckily that day had Spanish class and PE both of which she enjoyed. It ended much better than it started and the rest of the week improved. But Tuesday after Labor day weekend came and it was another hard morning. But a good day by the end. This is a hard transition. One thing she hasn't had a problem with is mask wearing. She doesn't complain or have a hard time with it. I think it makes her feel safe.
On Tuesday 9/8 Bridget started 8th grade at Catonsville Middle School. She started getting her work space ready a few weeks ahead. I printed out her schedule. The school system has worked hard on it's plan all summer and then 2 weeks before school the Governor rolled out some new requirements and the state school administration handed out updated guidelines so they had to update it again. New schedules were printed and Bridget gave herself time to get ready.
Her first day first login went well but then her school device kept dropping the wifi connection. She missed 75% of her 2nd class. It was stressful but I was really proud of how Bridget calmed herself down and kept trying. She and her friends planned a lunch time get-together and had their own virtual meeting. She said it was so good to see everyone and to laugh. We expect that her device will give her problems all semester and she isn't looking forward to it but Bridget tucks her head and keeps going. I worry about her internalizing the stress but I am proud of her fortitude.
Megan woke up to her first day schedule being changed and discovering that she only had 2 classes. She is a Junior at Catonsville High School and she is also taking 2 classes for dual enrollment at the community college. The high school made the decision to split the year into semester classes and offer 4 classes in the fall and 4 in the spring. It isn't ideal for a number of reasons but I am glad Megan has to manage a smaller class load. By the end of the day she got her schedule fixed and has 3 HS and 2 college classes this semester, and she'l have 4 HS in the spring.
The other big thing for Megan's 1st week of school is foot surgery on Thursday. Megan needs a bunionectomy and we decided that if school was virtual it would be the best time to get it done. So on her first day of class, amid getting her schedule fixed, we went out at lunch to get her pre-op COVID test. She'll have one more day before taking off for surgery.
When Megan and Bridget finished their classes today they went for a walk together. It was a beautiful day.
And for the first time in 18 years Emma did not have a first day of school. It indeed is a strange year.
I pray for the teachers and administrators as they navigate all of the technology and changes. I pray that God give they grace to use their gifts and do the good work of meeting their students as they are and inspiring them with knowledge and wonder. I pray for these students that they may expand past what they thought possible and to embrace the best in each moment as they gain information and understanding.
God please bless this school year, may you make it transformational and use it to grow love in your creation.
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