2020-2021
Most of this year was virtual, so majority of the work was exclusively submitted online.
Homeroom Teacher: Ms. Jacqueline Guida (and at-home teacher: Ms. Emma!)
Face-to-Face Teacher: Ms. Kathryn Pickle
Sunday School Teacher: Ms. Margo Bernstein
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| Tu Bishvat Tree from Sunday School: 1/24/21 |
Dear Banner, Quinn, & Knox,
It's 9:32am, and I am sitting down on the couch after dropping Knox off at preschool for the first time in over a year. Today, all three of you are back in school for face-to-face learning for the final 9-weeks of the 2020-2021 school year. It's quiet in the house, after a whole year of crazy, loud, chaotic-ness. You've all been through an unusual event - the COVID-19 pandemic - that we've all had to learn to navigate together. While a year ago, I was stressed out and uncertain about how long this would affect us, after a couple months, we found our groove and were able to make the most of being locked down for a long time. Everything was cancelled this year: swim lessons, soccer practice and games, Sunday School, Hebrew School, play dates, outings to public places, visiting family, our typical holiday celebrations, birthday parties, restaurant dining, and even a trip to Disneyland you never knew about. But, we made it through - together with flying colors. So much so, that today makes me sad.
Don't get me wrong. I'm totally excited for you all to be back at school - for my own sake and yours. (And even for our house's sake! After a year of you guys hanging out here, learning here, playing and rough-housing here, our house and the items in it have taken a beating!) But, as I close out this chapter of you guys being home all the time, of us being in the house altogether, I'm doing my usual thing - reflecting and reminiscing.
Cuddling while watching Punky Brewster, shaving cream, drive-by birthday parties, WandaVision, two trips to Broken Bow, unlimited screen time, family bike rides, The Goldbergs, learning to tie shoes, Emma, George, Graham, skate park, trampoline, outdoor movies, every holiday, Legos, Fortnite, playing Lego Avengers and Indiana Jones with Knox, Roblox, walkie talkies, kite flying, sidewalk chalk, colored rice, Zoom calls, Google classroom, Chromebooks, staying up late, sleeping in, never wearing shoes or pants, Animal Crossing, making ice cream, baking, read alouds, playing in the "fort thing," awaiting a Biden win and watching the inauguration, discussions about race and equality, learning to ride a bike, The Floor is Lava, swimming at Grandma's or Amanda's, picnics in the parking lot, watching Blown Away, my surprise birthday celebration and a date night you all planned for me with Daddy, Turner Falls, going on hikes . . .
Dad said today after we took Banner and Quinn to school, "It feels like we just walked through a worm hole. It started with spring break 2020 and ended with spring break 2021." It does. It feels like "what the hell just happened?" as we came back from taking you guys to school and reflected on this insane year. Today felt so "normal," but it was also so unusual given the year we just had. As we move away from our lockdown experience, I don't want to forget what an unbelievable year we had - both good and bad. I also feel like it was such a gift that we got one whole year - uninterrupted by plans and events. Was it hard? Yes! Certainly. But it was something we will never get again, and a year I hope you will remember always.
So, why even go back to school at all? Well, it was time. You guys were getting sick of being home, missing friends, academically hitting walls that can't easily be tackled without being in-person, getting aggravated at not being challenged, and frustrated at sitting in front of a screen all day long. I know you will do great and be so glad that you went back to school. I want to wish you an easy school day today. I can't wait to hear all about it! And I hope the next 9 weeks go smoothly for you all.
I love you all so much!
Mom
