The back-to-school conversation has been swirling for weeks if not months now — and it’s gotten heated. But no matter which side you’re on in the reopening debate, you have to admit there’s one part of the conversation we haven’t actually had yet: Whether kids return to school in-person or not this fall, how will we make things feel “normal” when they do?
Ah, yes — "normal" (remember that word?)
It’s sometimes hard to remember when life was, in fact, “normal” now that we’re five months into this pandemic. But if you reach way back into the crevices of your mind, you may recall that now was typically the time of year we’d start to see back-to-school ads popping up all over. Soon, you would be throwing down some serious cash on school clothes and class supplies, and in just a few short weeks, you’d be giddily waving goodbye as your kiddo hopped on the school bus and was gone for eight blissful hours.
Then, as if on cue, you’d start seeing funny memes appear in your feed, about the unfettered joy every parent feels at back-to-school time.
Yes … remember those days?
This year, it couldn't look more different
Gone are the eager back-to-school ads or the excitement over entering a new grade. Instead, they’ve been replaced by PSAs about wearing face masks and endless debates over whether or not it’s safe for kids or teachers to even return to school at all.
The truth is, many parts of the country haven’t even announced yet whether they’re returning to in-person classes this fall — and in the meantime, the anxiety within students, parents, and educators is mounting.
But as one teacher is gently reminding us all on Facebook this week, a return to school will happen, even if that means a return to remote learning. And when it does, it’s our job to make kids feel as positive about entering a new school year as we would any other.
Karen Orr Wright has been thinking a lot about this lately
In a Facebook post written on Sunday, the Kennesaw, Georgia teacher said it’s really been weighing on her.
“I love teaching and would do just about anything to be face-to-face with my students,” Wright said, “but at this time — it’s not happening.”
Wright, who teaches fourth-grade at Big Shanty Intermediate, tells Mom.com that her district made the call to “go digital” back in mid-July, and that she’s fine with it.
“I just want to get back to work!” she says, adding that she’s “trying to keep a healthy awareness about all of it” and staying as positive as she can.
So Wright decided to stop mourning the loss of what used to be, and instead look to how this school year can be the best one it can be for her students, despite the pandemic. She then shared a list of ways that parents and teachers can try to make the best of what she calls a “challenging” situation.
Her advice may be simple, but it's an important reminder
Her first bit of advice? Parents should try to make the first day of school just as special as they normally would if their kiddo was being sent off in person on any other year.
“It’s important,” Wright says, adding that “teachers will do everything in their power to make this a great day,” and parents should, too.
She also suggests buying new school clothes and a pair of new shoes if possible. Yes, it adds up. But let’s be honest; part of the back-to-school excitement for kids is getting to look the part with a fresh new wardrobe. One new outfit and a pair of new shoes will make them feel like a million bucks and not actually cost you a million bucks, like it usually does.
Don't forget to take First Day of School photos, either
Yes, it’s a little weird that you’re not sending them off on the school bus this time, but snapping a special photo in front of your front door will make kids feel special. Plus, years from now, when they’re flipping through their childhood photo album, they’ll appreciate your memorializing the day.
Basic school supplies are still important for at-home learning too, Wright reminds, so don’t forget about those either. And creating a learning space that is “bright, clean, and organized” can make all the difference. (“Use a desk or table, but try not to work on a bed or in an area that is dark, loud, or has a lot of distractions,” she advises.)
Most of her other advice revolves around establishing a good daily routine. That means having kids get up at the same time every morning, eating breakfast, taking a shower, and getting dressed just like they would if they were headed off to school.
“It’s important!” Wright says. “They will feel better and interact more!”
Being on time for remote learning, she adds, is also just as important as it is for in-person learning. So is displaying proper classroom etiquette — which applies to Zoom calls, too.
Above all, having a positive attitude about remote learning is key.
“Remember, we as adults set the tone!” she writes. “The attitude of the kids will reflect the attitude of the adults around them! Be positive and excited for your kids!”
And last, but certainly not least, Wright tells parents to “Ask about the best part of their day or what they are looking forward to that week.” (Yes, even if you were there for every minute of it.)
“Many teachers are also parents — we know the struggle is real!” Wright adds. “We know this is a challenge, and we are up to the task! Help us to make the best of what 2020 has thrown at us! We will do all we can to love and teach your child just as we would if they were in our classrooms in the school building!”
In the comments, many people thanked Wright
“This is awesome and so true!” wrote one person. “I love everything you wrote.”
“Such great advice!” another person added. “Your students are so lucky to have you, whether through a computer screen or face-to-face!”
“I second this list!” yet another chimed in. “My little people are very excited preparing for 4th grade and COLLEGE. I have certainly intended to do a good majority if not all the things on your list. Get out there, people, school supplies and clothes are on sale now!!”
Since she first wrote the post, it’s received hundreds of likes and dozens of messages, which Wright says she wasn’t expecting.
“I was very surprised by the number of responses to my post,” she tells Mom.com. “I thought about it very carefully, knowing this is a tough topic for our communities. I was excited to see so many positive comments because that was my intention — to give us all a little hope for what we can control — when there is so much we can’t.”
The Georgia teacher also took some time to personally respond to several of the comments people have left. In doing so, she clarified that the list was written to parents, but is really for everyone.
“It’s a post for all of us: teachers, parents, and students!” she wrote in one comment. “We got this.”
We certainly do.
Here’s to entering the 2020–2021 school year with grit, determination, and a whole lot more bravery than we ever thought was needed.
