As we start getting ready to return to a new type of “norm” at school, it is smart to prepare your child for what things may be like. If you are anything like the school districts around Ohio, then you know that each district has its own plan in place. Some schools are going back as normal with the use of masks, some schools are on a hybrid of 1/2 remote learning and 1/2 attending the physical location, and some schools are solely remote learning. In some school districts, they offer either a hybrid or remote learning and the decision is up to the parents. So what are we to do when there are so many decisions, so many options, and what is best for your child? Do you spend the money on school supplies in hopes they will physically attend or do you wait it out, anticipating they will go remote before the start date? All of these questions are valid and of great concern if you are a parent of a school-age child.
In our household, we were fortunate to get the news that our children are returning to school as normal with the use of face shields. That truly made it easy for me to embark on buying school supplies and having discussions with my kids around what school will look like this year. Having a third-grader along with a kindergartener, I felt it important to have these discussions to completely prepare them for what they are about to encounter within their school year. Supplies were bought and we are prepared to send them, despite the current world situation. The fear of COVID-19 is real and handing my kids over to possible contamination is a hard pill to swallow but I truly feel they will thrive best in this scenario. Bringing “normalcy” back to something that couldn’t be more different than they have encountered will bring some comfort to them and for that I am excited. You heard me, I am actually excited for them to experience school within this pandemic.
For parents in the hybrid school setting, this too is a good option because your kids will have the opportunity to interact with their friends throughout the week but not quite to the extent of a full opening. They will have interactions with friends and teachers yet also have the opportunity to stay safe in their homes. Parents know they must buy school supplies and the expectations from parents and students are apparent. This is far from “normal” but gives students a feeling of “normal” when it seems far from reach.
The last scenario I talked about is remote learning. Remote learning is when your child is learning remotely (whether at home, a grandparents’, home, friends’ home, etc.) with the use of technology. Their assignments are online along with their learning experience. Many schools in our area are following this protocol and starting the year remotely. This scenario makes it difficult for parents to decide whether or not to purchase school supplies and clothing. Talking with your kiddos about expectations when learning from home, what to expect and how the school year is set up for your school district, interacting with friends on a different level than in the past, and how the day to day will be navigated are all important for this scenario to best help your child adjust.
The bottom line, whether learning at school, following a hybrid schedule or staying home for remote learning, we can all agree that school is going to look a bit different this year. How will you prepare your child(ren)? What discussions can you have with them to help ease them into their new “norm” for the year? How are you going to best help them have the amazing school year they so desperately deserve? By asking yourself these questions and making sure you have mentally prepared your children through discussions, non-other than a successful year is in their future.
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