A Bittersweet Return to Classrooms + Hope for the New School Year!
Teachers across the world are being asked to return to their classroom to tidy it up from when it was abandoned in March. And they are having a bittersweet return to classrooms.
Numerous teachers have posted pictures of their calendar showing either March 13 or March 18, depending on when their district closed schools for remote learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
The Bittersweet return to classrooms!
Often the tears flow because of feelings of loss, overwhelm or despair. Teachers are asked to sort through their students belongings, desks, and cubbies to bag up each child’s things for their parents to pick up.
It’s hard enough to teach, but to have your year ripped apart with no warning AND having to do a complete 180 to switch to remote online instruction via Zoom or another format such as this.
And now you must return and pack up!
The packing up process has been varied from state to state and from district to district. Some teachers have been given only a few hours to take care of this packing up, while others were given the entire day.
It’s such a weird feeling to walk into your room for the first time since March and see all the items on the walls as they were left three months ago. Now, I realize some teachers have been able to pop back over to school to get items they need to teach remotely, but this trip back to your class is different BECAUSE you have reached the point where the year has ended.
And you weren’t able to say good-bye in person.
And you weren’t able to have the fun end-of-the-year activities.
And you weren’t able to celebrate with a graduation or promotion.
And your school didn’t have the spring dance.
And you weren’t able to take your class on a field trip.
And you weren’t able to have the science fair.
And you didn’t have the annual talent show before the closure.
And I’m sure the list could go on and on of things you and your students missed during these three months. And now there is no looking back. What a bittersweet return to classrooms this has been. In April there was the hope that the pandemic would subside and we could return to school. But that was not our reality.
And today you are facing a room that needs packing up! Student work and personal items that must be sorted and bagged up for their parents to pick up. One thing you can feel good about is that you are fairly sure most of your students know how much you care and how much you want them to succeed.
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Teachers need to be sure they rejuvenate themselves before August so they will be energized to tackle what will happen next year. Be sure to take some time to take care of yourself so you can be the best teacher. Here is an article I wrote about this topic.
How to Avoid Teacher Burnout; a Little R & R!
Now to think about the 2020-2021 year!
Where do we begin when thinking about next year. There are more questions right now than there are answers.
How will we manage with all the Covid restrictions? Will we all have to wear masks? How can the young primary students learn without seeing how my mouth forms the letters and sounds they need to connect to the written form?
I saw this post on social media that hit home for anyone who has taught primary students. I don’t have any way to find the original author, so I’m hoping they won’t mind that I’m sharing it here. Here is what was posted:
A bit of “MASK” humor!
“I am not complaining about masks…trust me if they mean I can go back to teaching in my classroom with my kids then I will wear it! But this made me laugh so hard but is so true! I don’t own this but wanted to share.
So, I’m thinking about the possibility of having to wear masks next year, a couple of us came up with some mask scenarios while handing out school stuff bags… and then I added to it. Enjoy!
(Insert name) please don’t snap (insert name)’s mask in their face.
(Insert name) you should not be using your mask as a sling shot. Please put it on your face.
(Insert name) your mask should be on your face not on the back of your head.
(Insert name) your mask is not a necklace, bracelet, or any other form or jewelry.
(Insert name) please do not chew on your mask.
(Insert name) I’m sorry you sneezed but wipe out the snot as good as you can.
Aren’t These Hilarious?
(Insert name) no you can not blow your nose in your mask.
(Insert name) why is your mask soaking wet? You just came back from the bathroom? And you put it back on your face after you dropped it?
(Insert name) I’m sorry you broke the elastic on your mask by seeing how far the band would stretch but now you will have to hold the mask on your face or use this duct tape.
(Insert name) please take the mask off your eyes and watch where you are walking. I don’t care if you can see through it.
And there are more!
(Insert name) please take the mask off of your pencil and stop twirling it.
(Insert name) I know the mask fits over your pants like a knee pad but please take it off your leg and put it on your face.
(Insert name) what do you mean you tried to eat your lunch through your mask?
(Insert name) please do not share your mask or trade masks. I don’t care if you like their mask better.
(Insert name) I’m sorry but your mask is not school appropriate.
(Insert name) we are not comparing our masks to other kids’ masks …everyone’s mask is unique and special.
(Insert name) no you can not decorate your mask instead of doing your work. I don’t care if you have a sharpie.
(Insert name) you are not a pirate, please take your mask off your eye.
(Insert name) I’m sorry you tripped but that’s what happens when you put your feet inside the elastic of your mask.
(Insert name) no your mask does not make it hard to get your work done.
(Insert name) your Mom will need to get you a new mask since you chewed a hole in that one.
Other Concerns
There are a few more, but these were the best ones. Aren’t they just so hilarious. But more likely than not, all primary teachers will say one or more of these next year if the students are forced to wear masks to school.
What other changes will take place? Two in class days for half the class which rotates to the other half the other two days? If we do this, how will parents find child care? What about our own school age children? Who will watch them on their “in-home” days?
Other districts are considering 1/2 days for each half of the class. But, if you do this, how do the custodians sanitize 20-30 classes during a short lunch break? Who watches the children the other half of the day?
Our society depends on schools being able to supervise all 5-17 year old students for 6-7 hours each day. And parents want this time back. They are tired of being with their chid(ren) all day. They want to return to work also.
Let’s hope for the future!
But instead of dwelling on these possibilities, let’s turn our thoughts to the children. They will be so excited to return to school (no matter how that may look).
As we end this year with this last bittersweet return to classrooms, let’s remember the hope that lies ahead.
Until Next Time,
