How do we handle ‘Back-to-School’ this fall?

Here we are in the heart of summer, halfway through July, and hands down, this has to be one of the strangest summers in quite some time! Restrictions on travel and dining-out still exist in many locations. Minimized capacities at venues and shopping locations help mitigate the spread of the pandemic. And camping is the new “thing to do” as it gets you outside and into the wilderness; a natural “social-distancing” activity. As we cruise through the rest of the Summer’s weeks and shift our thoughts toward the fall, one can’t help but think about the “Back to school” conundrum that many North Country families will be facing. Here at NCL we want to try and consider that topic as we look towards the rest of July and August.

COVID-19 took it’s toll on a variety of industries, and the educational system itself was hit especially hard. Teachers had to create layers of learning resources at warp speed to accommodate at-home learning. Faculty and resource staff found themelves struggling with new technologies to set up digital classrooms amid privacy concerns. To contend with the homeschooling directive and distance learning that came with it, families were also forced to pivot at a moment’s notice. Parents that had no background in education found themselves at home, standing in as an elementary, middle and/or high school instructor. Long forgotten math problems and science equations are “Googled” for down and dirty refreshers on how to “solve for y”. (Remember slope-intercept is defined as “y= mx+b”.) Or maybe, how many grams per mole in a carbon dioxide molecule (the answer is 44.01 gram/mole)

Strength moving forward

Now, as we careen toward the start of the new school year, there is no scarier topic on the table than the one of “back to school”. Do we send students back? Is it safe to send them back? How many students should be in the classroom? If they stay home, how can I, as a parent, return to work? Unfortunately, there are far too many questions at this time to even begin to chart a course for a solution. In addition, the topic of masks, and vaccines, and social distancing, and opening up, or staying in, are all polarizing debates. With tensions running high on both sides of the conversation, fueled by months of sheltered and quarantined activities, it’s hard to find civil discourse and work with one another to make sound decisions for the best course of action.

Our goal here isn’t to fan the flames or spark contention. We want to simply share with you that we understand. In these times of difficult decisions, and carefully crafted narratives, we look toward one another for hope and guidance. Some signal or guidance to do what is right for the greater good. However, the “greater good” becomes trapped behind a wall of emotion and self-doubt. What if the economy can’t survive another lock down? Can we manage if there is no vaccine for years to come? What if schools do/don’t or can/can’t open? What if.. How come… Why do…? There is no easy answer, especially when the stakes are so high and the questions are so complex. Also, it becomes even more troublesome when the question involves your children and their safety, or the safety of your family when they return home from class…

Teach the children well

We don’t know what the outlook for school will be this fall. All we know is that we as a community need to stand strong with each other. Help support families and students that may have a more difficult time with the State’s decisions that are forthcoming. Some families will do okay with homeschooling, where others will struggle with work and childcare for their kiddos. Other families will struggle with sending students back to school because of concerns for safety and security.

Teacher’s will face the extended concern of their disconnected students that are unable to distance learn either by technology limitations, or learning style barriers. Unfortunately, some students NEED a teacher in class with them helping them understand the work. Para-educators are the lifeline for some children. They are lost without these educators. Learning disabilities that challenge standardized teaching models become the “devil in the details”. We cannot gloss over this. Hard conversations need to happen within our community. We must make sure every voice, and every situation, is heard and addressed.

Final thoughts

As we reflect on the past 5 months, we want to encourage you to do your very best to think of one another. For instance, reach out for help if you need it. Ask your neighbors if they are okay or need help. Call a family member you haven’t seen and talk to them. More importantly though, talk to your kids. Also, talk to your neighbor’s kids. Ask these students what they need moving forward. Be their voice. Make sure they aren’t left behind. 2020 has been a very difficult year, but it has also taught us something. It has taught us that we are resilient creatures. We can persevere if we work together towards the common goal.

Stay safe North Country…and be mindful of the struggles the person across from you may be having.