Back to school … well sort of.

We already have a “freshman” at home!

Róża has started a new American elementary school. For almost the entire summer we waited for information whether it would be a remote or on-site learning, or maybe a so-called “hybrid mode.” The last option was supposed to be for three hours a day, five days a week. Children and teachers all had to wear masks and be split into morning and afternoon groups. The school purchased special cleaning equipment which has not yet arrived at the scene …

The uncertainty of probably all parents, teachers and school council members was finally resolved by the Governor of California (in the USA, education is the responsibility of the states, not the federal government). Public and private schools were to begin distance learning if they were on the watchlist for 14 days. Our county was on that list in August, as was the overwhelming majority of schools across California.

So Róża picked up her school iPad and school supplies and started Kindergarten at home at the end of August. I guess I went back to school with her.

Now we connect three times a day by zooming for about 30-40 minutes each. We are pleased so far. We have school assignments (sometimes too many:), interesting activities, great teachers. There were a lot of virtual information meetings for parents. One day I had a morning teacher-parent conference and a virtual evening with the parents association meeting, who is looking for help with helping more virtual, this time fundraising events.

It is not bad with concentration, nor with motivation to do classes. Kids already know all the zoom tricks, and are trying to be very independent. Sure, it’s a lot of screen time, but we’re not complaining too much, although after couple of on-line school, I do see that Rose is a bit tired (usually the scooter break helps). We had the opportunity to send Róża back to kindergarten (some kids log in to their online schools at preschool), but in the end only Maya went back to the kindergarten, which was a great help for us in managing home, school and professional activities (of course until the preschool is closed because of wildfires).

Some time ago I was quite devastated about it. Kindergarten is a kind of “rite of passage” in the US – new friends, a new place to learn. The number of screen hours was also hard to swallow.

Admittedly, I was also quite emotional about the fact that Róża goes to school at the age of five (although I saw that she has completely grown out of preschool), but I was still glad that new challenges awaited in for her pleasant atmosphere.

I don’t worry so much now. I connect with the parents in Róża’s class and try to organize off-screen meetings (only in parks). We meet our friends and their children, whom I have known for several years. I see that Róża is learning something, it is nice to spend more time with her, and during the breaks she builds her Lego Pandemica kingdom with Dean. 🙂

Another interesting fact from our neighborhood – desperate and exhausted parents of older children form all sorts of “learning pods,” or homeschooling groups that might even employ a home tutor or a teacher. I do not know how safe such groups are. I saw that some school districts they advise against creating them, but on the other hand, the parents have to cope somehow, and nothing has been heard of anyone in such informal groups getting hurt.

There is much talk about whether it is fair that privileged children whose parents can afford to hire a teacher or tutor (at home), and other can not, even if they need it most. We were not looking for private tutors, but we are not perfect either, since we sent Róża to private, catholic school in Berkeley.

In August, we sent Róża to a small summer day camp, which was very, very necessary for her. I am counting on this studio to be able to conduct afternoon activities in small groups, but so far we have no information.

Maya seems pleased with her return to preschool. Children have their temperature measured twice a day, parents are not allowed to enter the building, and we are to stay at home for three days after each vacation. Everything is thoroughly cleaned every day. The teachers are supposed to wear masks, but not the children. I am aware that some families did not return to preschool.

Now the state of California has changed a bit more the classification system for the level of local virus transmission and it gives hope that the level of positive testing is dropping significantly.

Depending on the counties, schools can apply for the so-called Waivers – exemptions from compulsory school closures. Schools must provide a detailed plan for safe return to school. One of them is testing teachers, even if they are asymptomatic. There is also a problem of differences between public and private schools, as private schools can afford to spend more money on cleaning and safety. Public schools teachers union are also another very important and never to be omitted element in the opening schools plan.

I read on the private French, and very private school that they have already applied for such a waiver (one of the conditions of receiving a waiver is putting the detailed opening plan on school website).

We don’t know yet when Róża will be able to return to school. We don’t pressure the school faculty. We have just learned that the school will apply for such waiver. The process is complex and can take a long time. The latest news is that maybe the school will let students on the school site to maybe to do , for an example, a simple art project once a week.

Both Rose and even Maya, both started online classes in Polish School.

We have to wait somehow and survive. Such is life in our beautiful California ..