Some Impressions of Reopening School During a Pandemic

 I'm sure things will shape up, but some of the first impressions of school reopening during a pandemic:

1) the filthy carpet in my room was NOT removed (though this was promised)

2) there was no inspirational speech from the administrators about how we are essential employees risking our lives in a hot, poorly-ventilated building . . . in fact, there was very little acknowledgment that there's an airborne global pandemic going on

3) the courtyard doors and hallway windows were NOT open . . . so we're not even pretending that fresh air is a good idea . . . weird

4) we are just recognizing that our "classes" are going to consist of 0-3 students . . . the rest will be virtual, so I think most kids who do come to school are going to opt-out when they realize they are getting the same experience as the virtual kids (aside from having to sit in a poorly ventilated room while wearing a mask, in close proximity to a sweaty teacher also wearing a mask)

5) we were not really trained on how to teach virtually

6) we were not really trained on Microsoft Teams (which we were instructed to use instead of Zoom) so a couple of savvy teachers tried to show everyone the ropes (thanks Liz and Cunningham!)

7) we weren't really trained in how to set up all the tech to teach virtually-- I think you've got to cast your laptop to the projector and use your learning platform on the desktop (but I just figured this out at the 11th hour . . . thanks Eric!)

8) school is about to start and our classes aren't populated in Canvas, we don't know how to take attendance, and we don't understand the basic expectations for virtual classes

9) we might be required to clean the classroom between classes-- this was mentioned at a board meeting but no administrator said it directly to the teachers

10) we are supposed to wear masks all the time-- unless we are alone in a room . . . but that ain't happening

11) we're not sure where or when we should eat

12) we are not being tested for COVID, nor are the students

13) several teachers cried

14) I wear a really porous homemade reversible mask which I like to flip over when it gets damp and Cunningham did an amazing impression of me turning it inside out in front a pretend student and then touching the wet side and discussing it . . .

15) we haven't gotten are headsets yet, but we are getting headsets

16) we met the new director of ILA, she said something about "Jamboard" and then the principal came over the intercom and drowned her out

17) there was lots of feedback in the virtual meetings

18) it's quite a workout to stack all the desks in the back of the class

19) we received some 11th-hour training on Microsoft Teams on Friday, but the classes aren't merged and I still don't know how to take attendance . . .

20) most of the answers to questions are "we'll see" "or "that might synch eventually"

21) all the stress was worth it because I got to go sit outside with all my lady friends at The Grove and enjoy a Friday Happy Hour . . . despite the long hiatus, Cunningham was in full-on appetizer-ordering form!