This year, as we are all aware, has been one unlike any other. That sounds so cliche because every year is different, but with an on-going pandemic still taunting our lives, there have been so many events we have never faced before.
The school year is no different. In-person learning, locally, ended abruptly in March right about the time that I came down with covid-19. The week I awaited my test results and gradually became sicker, we attempted the distance learning model at home. When I became so sick I could hardly breathe sitting still, let alone walk around the apartment or deal with school work, we quit for multiple weeks.
The children never went back to their classrooms again, not even to pick up school supplies. Everything was handled outside the school building. Playgrounds and parks were closed. Swimming pools never opened. The summer was also, one we had never experienced before. As I have still been dealing with lasting effects of a six week fever from covid-19 and subsequent pneumonia, then a break and two weeks fighting off bronchitis, I have worked very little at my job, and we have been at home more than we have since I was a stay-at-home-mom six years ago.
What simultaneously seemed like suddenly and also ages later, the school year approached.
Locally, the decision was made for the kiddos at our elementary school to have two separate first days, divided alphabetically. That meant that my littles had their first day back inside the school building this past Friday.
They had been excited, nervous, anxious, and occasionally dreaded going back. There were so many changes happening this year. Masks are expected for students and faculty, and although not mandatory, we are told that if your child doesn’t wear a mask, they’ll be repeatedly asked to put one on, questioned, and parents may be contacted. (Side note: this is not a mask debate, so please do not start one.). Each of my children’s classes will be eating lunch in their classrooms this year. The playground has been divided into sections, and none of the classrooms in each grade level are permitted to play together during recess. Visitors are restricted. The sick policy is very stringent... so forth and so on.
So, when we prepared for school to begin, there was a lot to process. Truthfully, having survived the virus, although it’s still causing me issues, my children and I have looked the potential fatality of it straight in the face and come out the other side, so I haven’t felt worried or anxious about sending my children to school. I know the risks involved, and I’ve heard all sides of the debates going on. It was the right choice for my family for my children to return to school.
The first day of school for my children was riddled with initial excitement, some grumpiness, a little rain, a little sunshine, typical first day photos, and a fun new addition in that they were able to take a photo with their future step-sister, who also started the same day, and is now going to the same school they are. As we walked to the school, knowing that unlike years past, we could not wait together on the playground, and children could not play on the playground before school, their nerves started rising slightly. As we approached the doors they will enter this year and pulled up their masks over their noses, both boys hugged me and walked in with slight-to-no-hesitation. Their sister was a different story. She cried and clung to momma as hard as she could, eventually taking the hand of a friend and going inside.
I cried as I walked away. It was not tears of fear or anxiety. It was tears of letting go, tears of change, tears of momma-hood.
I was fortunate to pick them up for daycare myself, and each ran out of the school with a smile. We talked about the days and they all reported that the first day was good. The only complaint came from the middle kiddo. There’s a nut allergy in his classroom and because they are eating inside the classroom, this year he cannot have peanut butter or Nutella, which is his favorite sandwich combination. After researching and connecting with the proper faculty, we decided on Wow-butter and jelly as an alternative. I sampled it and thought it tasted nearly identical. I did not tell him about the swap because I was sure that if I did he wouldn’t give the sandwich a chance.
The report, his day was “good but there was something wrong with the sandwich at lunch.” He took two bites and declared that to his classroom. I tried it again today with more jelly. We shall see what the report is. He knows the science behind acquiring a taste for new foods, because he’s told me all about it before. Somehow, the boys seem to think that it doesn’t apply to them personally however.
Today was the second day of school. Due to a light work schedule this week, I am able to walk them to their doors again. This morning went more breezily, and there were less tears from the little miss. There was more sunshine in the sky and less supplies in the backpacks. There were still masks on the faces, but bigger smiles in the eyes. Hopefully, there will be less wow-butter sandwich left in the box.
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