I've gathered my gumption to sit down and write for The Slice of Life Challenge. It's taken me some time to get here - as the last couple of years have been pretty challenging.
On Friday, March 13, 2020 the announcement came during eighth-grade lunch to students' IPads - the school system would be shutting down due to a CoronaVirus. The crowded and noisy lunchroom, a microcosm of the world, erupted with excitement and tension. We all had a general sense that this CoronaVirus thing was going to be a big deal - but the students' response, not suprisingly, was as if they had heard a sudden prediction of Snowmaggedon.
They lost their minds...and then I did too. Locked in our homes, attempting to engage students through a screen - the days passed slow - but in retrospect...
Two years later, it's challenging to look back, honestly, and reflect on that first year of our school's existance - and the year of virtual teaching and learning that followed. It's been a pleasure to have students back in the building this year, and now we are removing masks and moving forward as if things were normal...
But they are not. There is a new CV outbreak in China - and war has broken out between Ukraine and Russia. Will things ever be normal again?
What an intriguingly reflective post here. Reflection is such a key component to understanding ourselves and our world. It sounds like writing helps you do that.
ReplyDeleteThe cafeteria as microcosm of the world? Your genius is showing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for signifying the anniversary of the "shutdown". I have referenced this the 2020 date many times over the last 2 years. I was really busy and didn't realize the date. I hope we've made it to the other side in the case of the virus. Maybe I'm wrong. Think positive and work to make your corner of the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteEven the term "new normal" doesn't seem to fit at times, does it?
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