Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Back to School

It is Danica's turn to go back to school today. In this staggered start, one of her stepsisters returned yesterday; JJ will get back to the grind tomorrow.

I wanted to do a Back to School photoshoot with Danica and JJ but was asked to also take some group photos with the stepkids. I didn't mind.

How different the world is! No one last year, in their wildest dreams, would have predicted going back to school in masks after a very extended break from March to September. Even going back this September is chancy. Our government has decided that it is in society's best interest to get the kids back to school, but maybe that is economic and social best interest and not health and safety best interest.

The Masked Miscreants: I think the mono version suits the times more appropriately.



Our kids will be eschewing the school bus, which is a good thing, but they must be dropped off at least two blocks from the door, which doesn't make an ounce of sense to me.

On FB, Lexi's (right, glasses) mother posted a photo of Lexi meeting her friends two blocks away. She was with 7 or 8 friends. They were close together in the photo and unmasked. They would then have gone to school and sat in a crowded classroom, masked, for many hours. Do you see any logic in the two-block rule? Wouldn't it be better to have everyone dropped off at the school with masks on? Consider that those who are using the school bus will be in close proximity for the whole ride, perhaps with three to a seat in some cases. UI don't see what the two-block rule accomplishes except to make it seem like the Board is doing something.

And this concern is ignoring whether the kids should be going back at all. There are already cases in city schools that had returned to school earlier, and I saw that in the province of Quebec. which returned last week, there have been cases in 118 schools as of yesterday. Meanwhile, the provincial new case numbers have climbed to almost 200 per day since Labour Day when just a few weeks ago we were well below 100. I find this alarming.

Our kids had, and maybe still have, the option of choosing online learning. Perhaps they should have done that, but, understandably, they really want to be back with their friends. Let's hope for the best.

We will do our bit, for on Monday, we had our last family dinner (for now). We made Mexican Lasagna, which was very fine, indeed, but it does grieve me somewhat to return to semi isolation.

Now, for a few more group photos. It was really too windy and sunny for technically excellent photos, but one does what one can.














16 comments:

Marcia said...

I agree that the decision to have kids dropped off two blocks away masks no sense. Our two granddaughters head to school today. The young one in preK is there only from 8-11 and only 4 days a week (latter family choice). We have pick up duty on Thursdays for both girls. I wonder what our new exposure level will be.

Shammickite said...

My oldest grandson (grade 7) starts to his small country school on Thursday. Seats assigned on the school bus, masks all day, stay with your class, etc. I spent the day with his family yesterday, then will stay away for a few weeks.
The other three grandies (grades 6 and 4) have opted out and are doing home schooling.
Whatever choice is made, it's a brave choice.

DJan said...

Fun pictures! I like the one where two of the four are jumping. And yes, this is a very stressful time and the right thing is not obvious.

Mara said...

I think for a lot of children the prospect of seeing their friends again on a regular basis is the best news. Both mentally as well as physically. But we do see over here as well, that cases are on the up. Mostly young people nowadays who don't get as sick and the hospital admissions do not rise. It is still a worrying time though. Hope it goes well for your grands and their siblings.

Should Fish More said...

Great photos of happy children. Made me smile

Barbara Rogers said...

Great series of photos...I am glad you got them together to do these group photos. Love the jumping ones, and I'm sure the kids did too. Amazing to think that our civic leaders are making such strange guidelines for our children...I think lots of these decisions are based on parents not wanting the kids under-foot any more. Kids do need to be socially interacting with others...and it's hard for them to stay 6 feet apart, even wearing masks. I sure hope all of your family stays healthy!

Jenn Jilks said...

These are wonderful photos! What great memories.
I hear you about the bubble being burst, without social distancing.

I get that parents can't drop kids off at the door. We've had crazy parents all the time dropping kids off, blocking traffic in Ottawa. They don't figure that they are the only one doing it, and we always had problems doing bus duty!
This is what they are posting in Ottawa!
Reminder: When dropping your children off at school remember:
➜ Do not drive distracted
➜ Avoid U-turns, drive around the block
➜ Avoid double parking, park legally
➜ Park 5 mins away and Walk-a-Block

Safer School Zones start with you!

https://bit.ly/2Z22CTc

gigi-hawaii said...

You have fine grandkids. I hope they do well in that school setting. Over here in Hawaii, online learning is mandatory until Oct. 1. After that, who knows what will happen next.

Margaret said...

Love the photos! They look happy to be going back. I'm rolling my eyes at the drop off rule also. Your scenario makes much more sense to me. I don't know what the "right" answer is any more; I don't think there is one. Numbers will most certainly rise and kids and teachers will get sick. It's not a question of "if" but one of "when." At this point, I hope for no serious cases or deaths. Mexican lasagna sounds delicious! I love all lasagnas.

William Kendall said...

Terrific shots!

Tabor said...

Such a joy to your heart mask or not!

Mage said...

Yup, the two block rule makes no sense at all. I don't think sending the kids to school makes any sense either. Great photos tho. My family in Barcelona has been taking one photo a year since Stassa first started school. They announced that yesterday's picture would be the last. I retaliated with, "College?"

Marie Smith said...

The rules here are peculiar as well. Who knows how this will turn out? The kids are so excited about being back in school but the adults are terrified.

Joanne Noragon said...

I especially liked jumping for joy.

Red said...

Great photos of the kids. I'm sure it makes them feel as if school is special.

Rita said...

The two block rule seems rather ineffective, to put it nicely. And why make the kids walk two extra blocks when winter hits?!
Great photos of all the kids! :)