What a difference a year makes. Bailee returned to us one year ago today. After a horrible 3 week stay in the south, an eye-opening relocation, a reality check of monumental proportions and a 13 hour car ride to sanity, she was literally dropped in our driveway to regain a life of love and stability... Who knew?
Who new that today she would be sitting in her comfy bedroom, synchronously (my most new, unfavorite word) pursuing her education. Two days in person classes and two days online ALL DAY!!!! She was so excited to get back to her classes in the building but that novelty wore off as the halls became nearly silent. They're literally masked in unfamiliarity! No smiles, little chatter, no hallways lined with posters announcing school elections, upcoming social events or amazing artwork created by the talented students. Stale air, fogged glasses, overloaded backpacks (lockers can only be used for coats and then left open...) and now your teacher who was happy to have face to face contact with at least half of his/her students is juggling 1/2 in their seats and 1/2 on their screens.
I try to be supportive of the bizarre steps that are being taken but the inconsistency has become a huge distraction. Families worked hard to put their back to school houses in order and make their personal logistics work. Six weeks later, it all changed. Fortunately, our household can be flexible...many cannot. I take huge exception to being told how to arrange my home.... acceptable backgrounds, no snacking, appropriate school attire (at home), limiting household noise during classes...which by the way is 9:02 - 3:20 on synchronous days (Tuesday and Friday!)
My last bitch for this post is the Honors and Advanced programs. Bailee take Honors Global History, Honors ELA English), advanced math (Geometry) and advanced Science (Earth Science!) First let me say..WAY TO GO Bailee!!! I am so proud of your intelligence and commitment! Now to my disagreement. Because these course are harder, faster and loaded with more content, they're adding TEN points to each average...WTH..... Bailee is pulling mid to high 90s in all but one of these courses...there are no grades above 100.....I think the addition of these extra points is a disservice to those kids who are already achieving 90s. We should be teaching these kids that you get what you earn! I understand it's an incentive to take tougher courses but ten points is a bit excessive...unless of course you're slacking with the idea that "Hey, I get a 10 point push at the end of the marking period so why not!" Would I want to be an educator or administrator these days?... Absolutely not but these extremes push past even the abnormal new normal that we're swimming in.
I'm really just whining as we're doing what we must and surviving and others have it tougher. Maybe I'm just posting for posterity when years down the road someone will read this and realize we couldn't make this stuff up... Maybe it's just this new generation walking 5 miles to school, uphill in the snow with bread bags in their boots! We'll see!
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