What Public School Looks Like in Our Area

Schools are looking a lot different these days.  In our area we have a mixed bag of what school looks like, and it appears to be a pretty fluid situation.  I truly feel bad for the teachers, parents and students who are trying to match the constantly changing regulations.  I'm not bashing any of those in this post, just sharing what things are looking like locally.

School Model: We live in the city limits.  If my kids were not homeschooled, they'd be in the city school system.  The school board here changed plans and start dates multiple times from August until September.  What they landed on for now is all virtual learning through the first semester, and the date of first semester ending keeps getting pushed out further.  Only special needs and ESL students get to attend in person classes.  Students were provided with chrome books and those who don't have internet at home were given a hot-spot as well.  

In the county that surrounds our city, it's currently a hybrid.  You student can go to in person classes two days a week and have virtual classes the other 3 days.  Scheduling has Monday as a day off to "deep clean" then students who attend in person go either Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday/Friday.   Parents were given the option to choose either all virtual or the hybrid option.  Internet is not readily available or particularly reliable in parts of the county.  The county school system itself has terrible   Wi-fi and it often sounds like you're listening to the Charlie Brown teacher (warp warp warp).  Again special needs and ESL students are allowed to have in person classes.   Masks must be worn at all times while on school property.

Surrounding cities and counties are all virtual learning.  Rumor has it that our county is changing directions yet again, so it'll be interesting to see how that pans out in the next few weeks.

Transportation:  Buses were overcrowded before this all happened.  Now, students are required to sit every other seat in a zigzag pattern.  Sibling groups are allowed to sit together (although that wasn't the case at first.)   Parents are requested to provide transportation for their own kids if at all possible.  The drop off/pick up lines literally wrap around the school buildings now.  Masks are required at all times while on the bus, and before exiting the car from the parent drop off location.

Education:  The girls have friends in each of these school systems.   The general consensus between everyone they've talked to is that they aren't learning a great deal, or are being assigned so much work that they can't get it done.  One of the girls that Lindsey spoke to is having major anxiety because she's getting "so behind".   Parents of little kids are totally overwhelmed with the amounts of worksheets that are being sent home for them to try to help their kids get through.

Sports:  This has been a big issue.  In public schools there is no football, cheer leading or volleyball for the fall. The reason being because the kids touch the same ball.  Cheerleaders don't have a ball, but I guess they have nobody to cheer for?  The seasons have been switched and are now being played in spring, maybe, they aren't sure.  Basketball, baseball, softball are all on the chopping block, or may be rescheduled to another season as well.   Cross country and SOME track and field events can be held (the ones that don't require using the same equipment.  No relay races.)

Interestingly enough, recreation league and travel league sports are still being played.  You can travel the state, or even out of state to participate, just as long as it doesn't involve the public high school.  (Whaaat??)

Childcare:  Parents of public school kids have been put in the position of having to "virtual school" their kids, and continue to work with all the other things they already had on their plates.  Some are in the position where they can't work from home (shockingly, not everything can be done virtually) and be home with their kids at the same time.  Childcare centers have increased capacity, YMCA's are offering virtual learning centers and families are teaming up to swap childcare/teaching roles.    I find it interesting (actually stupid) that kids can't be in school together to learn, but can go to virtual learning facilities to learn virtually.

I also serve on an advisory committee for our local community college.  I recently had a virtual meeting with the committee and found out that the college is not expecting to return to normal, on campus classes for "likely several years".  Likewise, one of the other committee members works in our local county school system and has said they are not anticipating returning to "normal" for the foreseeable future.    

The worst news of all?  No more snow days!  That's right, inclement weather cancellations and delays are a thing of the past.  Teachers will be expected to teach virtually from home no matter the weather, and kids will be expected to take the virtual class whether it was their day or not.

This year, more than ever, I'm glad we homeschool.  I'm also glad I ordered all our books for this year way back in February before all of civilization fell into disarray.  I have friends who are still waiting for back ordered curriculum that was purchased later in the year.

Are you keeping up with all the changes in the school systems in your area, or are you in a state that's not put such conflicting mandates in place?