While I normally share a Five on Friday, this week has been super sucky. I have barely taken any pictures, have had no patience, and have just fallen into another funk. I am hoping I can turn it around this weekend.
So remember earlier this week when I shared this mask necklace holder tutorial? Well, this week our district made the decision to start school remotely for the start of the 20/21 school year. This means there will be no face-to-face instruction until at least November 2nd for Annabelle (as of now Autumn’s preschool is still open since it is private, and licensed as child care). While I respect the decision they made, my heart broke a little. Annabelle was so disappointed when I told her she wouldn’t be going back to school right away.
What does that mean for us? It means that I am 99% sure I am going to be doing some sort of homeschooling to start the year. Never in my wildest dreams did I think those words would escape my mouth. Before the district made the decision to go full remote parents had to options full time face-to- face, or full virtual (with the need to commit to full virtual for at least the first 1/2 of the year). I was planning on choosing the full time face-to-face, but alas that is no longer the option.
In my opinion the virtual option seemed like way to much screen time, plus I would have to be there basically the whole day to monitor Annabelle, which, with two maybe three kids (depending on if Autumn will get to go to preschool), is just not feasible. Plus, if she is going to be home already, why not teach her myself (for those who don’t know I am a former teacher. I also have a masters in early childhood education)?
My biggest dilemma is pulling her will take funding from our school. I really love our school. The principal is amazing and the teachers are fantastic. But I just don’t know if I can handle all of the online learning again. And I need to make sure that I keep track of my mental health (which is already suffering). I can’t be a good mom when I am on edge 24/7. Also, I am not planning on homeschooling for the whole year. I have every intention on sending her back as soon as face-to-face instruction is available.
So, I’ve downloaded all of the Common Core Standards and Michigan Benchmarks for second grade, and have started planning some unit studies. For now I have still enrolled Annabelle in school. I figured I will wait and see what the remote learning will look like. Maybe it won’t be too bad. Maybe there will be a way for me teach at home while still keeping her enrolled. My fear is that the return to school date will keep getting pushed, and I know that I don’t want to deal with that uncertainty for the whole year.
Sigh. If you made it this far thank you for reading my word vomit. This whole decision has been eating away at me.
**I should also note that Michigan has some very lax homeschool rules. There is no need to provide the state with any lessons, students don’t have to take standardized tests. Basically you can kind of do what you want.**