Education in the Age of Corona

"If we are able to reopen our school buildings and classrooms..."

"Are families planning to attend school or make use of virtual options?"

"I appreciate your patience as we work through the scenarios..."

These statements from our local school board create uncertainty about the future of our education plans. I've been getting daily texts from local friends and watching the debates play out in social media.  At work, those of us with kids are discussing possibilities.  There is a lot of uncertainty and it seems that many are struggling to fee confident in a decision for education.

Our public school system is offering a fully virtual online option, as well as onsite classroom learning with modifications for greater space between persons.  There has always been the option of home schooling with personalized selected curriculum or private education ranging in price from about $4,000 - $20,000 per year.  There are so many choices and there are so many reasons why some are viable and some are not.

So many parents that I speak with right now are making changes in the way they educate.  Personally, I have two going to high school and one still in middle.  We do have choices, but the students themselves all want to return to their campus.

Our tentative plan is to return to campus on the delayed start.  I have purchased multiple masks for each of my kiddos and we plan to make the best of this chance to work in-person. I am not confident the year will continue on campus so I've prepared spaces for each to work at desks in their room if we are deployed back home again.

With a junior who needs to learn key aspects of math for upcoming college entrance exams, and a freshman who is just getting her footing in the high school setting my concerns are mostly for continuity of education.  I want them to grasp what is needed and actually progress in their learning this year.

So many of us are facing similar choices.  Ultimately, there are just so many variables and "ifs" to this pandemic and what we are facing.  I have to move forward with what we know and then if things change, we will adjust.