More back to school sadness

[CarolfromTX]

So my daughter teaches third grade math. She has a student, very bright, who really enlivens her online class. Asks good questions, makes good observations. Next Thursday, some kids will be returning live to the classroom, a decision left to the parents. The remaining virtual students, which includes this kid, will not be receiving live instruction, but will watch videos. No opportunity to ask questions. She told her kids that today, and she said he was crushed. Apparently, he has been in a bubble these last 6 months. The only thing he has done to get out of the house is go for a walk with his mom. This makes me so sad. Karen talked to the dad, but he was adamant that his kid would remain virtual. And she gets it. Her kids will be virtual also. But they, at least, have more contact with the outside world. Another child burst out in tears at the news. It's breaking my daughter's heart. There are not enough hours in her day to make contact with the virtual kids.

I thought teaching was hard, but my years were a cakewalk compared to this.

 

[Aunt Marg]

So machine and/or robot-like.

Hoping for a partial resurrection of the old in due time.

 

[Don M.]

Locally, there is a lot of differences in how the schools are handling this virus. Our great grandkids all go to rural schools, and they are having pretty much normal classes.....they do have to wear a mask, and their lunches are brought to the classroom, rather than having them congregate in the school cafeteria.
The reports from the larger cities, however, are showing most of the kids having to stay home and take virtual lessons. This has to be inducing all sorts of problems for the kids and their parents.....especially if the parents are having to balance work with at home lessons.

 

[Ellen Marie]

My daughter and son-in-law teach. They went back to the classrooms this fall in private school. They did shut down the school, all activities, including church activities for two weeks before school started to insure that they had a good chance to get started on in-person classes. Covid is on the uptake in their county/state. My daughter-in-law, doesn't teach. But she has two children and one foster child, which the three are beginning until September 18 as virtual. So, she spends most days helping teach three kids and working with their homework.... whether teaching in a class or teaching at home, it has become exhausting for them. Locally, the schools started in August, and they have only reported maybe three cases of covid in the schools.... two week quarantine for the student, and the schools are staying open.