So Tiny Boy went "back to school" on Wednesday. So far he has only had half days (9 to 11:30). Next week he goes a "full day" (until 2:00). I cannot overstate how significant this change is for my entire family.
I get work done! I'm happy when he comes home! He's happy! He uses energy! He actually eats a full lunch because he's used his brain and his body! I imagine it will only get better this week.
I'm not saying this to get into a debate about what's right for you and your families. Only you can decide that. But for mine--and I do not say this lightly--at this point in the pandemic, the risk of anyone in my family contracting and dying from COVID is minute compared to the actual health consequences (psychological, emotional, social, physical) of "remote schooling" for my third-grader. My high schooler is home for the duration because they want to be home, I respect their decision, and I don't see the benefit outweighing the risk (I do wish they would leave the house more to see peers, but that's not happening at school anyway).
So so so happy right now with this decision and cannot wait for some sort of camp experience this summer (probably a camp that is always exclusively outdoors). He needs some normalcy and experiences outside the house.
(And bonus, it looks like I might be eligible for a vaccine soon?!)
Amen.
I am SO happy for you. No question school is one of those things where the benefits hugely outweigh the small remaining risk. Are they actually teaching in person? Our school has announced even in person kids, right down to the kindergarten students, will sit in front of their laptops for all instruction despite the teacher being in the room with them because cannot figure out how to deal with the remote students. It’s infuriating.
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy! I do admit, I'm a little jealous, though.
ReplyDeleteYay!! So glad you guys have been able to do full time! Daughter is going back mid April and is super excited about it. Having an empty, quiet house is such a game changer.
ReplyDeleteOh good, I'm glad it's working well for you. Our sons are back in school today after a 10+ plus day quarantine because one of them tested positive for COVID-19 almost two weeks ago. At this point, everyone in our household has had the virus, so IMO, there is no reason for our sons NOT be in school, in person. My husband and I are both much more productive, and I believe that their school experience is better in person than it is online.
ReplyDeleteYes! He's actually in person. Online students are taught by a teacher from another elem school.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! That makes a lot of sense. Wish our school would have done something similar but alas...
DeleteMy high schooler finally went back 5 days/week (half days) the same day Tiny Boy did. I honestly don't think he cares either way, but I do worry that he's gotten antisocial and likes it. He really doesn't *talk* to other humans when he's not in school in person. The smaller person has been back five days a week since January, and I'd tell the same story about her that you tell about Tiny Boy. Thank goodness for using one's body and for fresh air. It's not normal, and I don't know when/if full time will happen this year, but I'll take what I can get and feel blessed that I can work remotely so that the house isn't empty when they get home. Baby steps forward.
ReplyDeleteJustine, LG has said they might consider going back in person after spring break (they will be vaccinated at that point!) but it depends a lot on who else is going. Right now only one person in their peer group is in person school, and that person doesn't share classes anyway. BUT I will say LG actually talks on the phone now (?!) and has a lot of zoom social events, so I'm less worried than I was a year ago. Yes baby steps indeed....
ReplyDeleteI am happy for you and all this sounds great. Hope you can get vaccinated soon!
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