Looks Like I'll be Staring at a Screen a Bit longer

 No surprise, Covid sucks again! Since last March I have been doing distance learning with my students. The spring was not a colossal failure, but it was not what it could have been. So many students simply checked out once we were not going back to in-person school. This year has started off better, at least in that there is some accountability for students as far as grades go.

But it isn't the same. I miss standing in front of the classroom, a room full of eager minds ready to learn. And while I will say the kids are becoming more engaged and interacting, there are still kids that barely turn in any work. Right now looking at my grades, half my kids have turned in assignments. Some of these will be the kids whose parents will be complaining about low grades, no matter what grace I give them. There are also the kids that turn in blank assignments consistently, and probably will continue to do so until we go back in person. Maybe when they get their report cards it will be a reality check for them.

Our district was hopeful we would be going back at the end of the month if our Covid numbers went down. Not surprisingly, the numbers are on an uptick so we will be distance-learning for a while more. And there will be those that complain because they can't do a simple thing like follow guidelines to reduce exposure. I'm not going to be surprised if we are still doing this come to the New Year. I don't care if people think that Covid has been overhyped, it is an invalid argument when the fact is that other places are doing fine because people quit being selfish did what they were asked to do in the first place.

Another thing is it looks like my archery team will likely not have a season. Middle School sports are on hold until we go back in person. Fall sports are dead, and I will not be surprised if the same happens for winter sports. Though other coaches at high schools and private schools are talking about a season starting, I am not holding my breath. With each week, the window of recruiting and preparing a team gets smaller and smaller. I hope we go back...I miss coaching. But I am trying to be realistic as not to get my hopes up.

It's all doom and gloom, and I don't want this to be a downer post. Erin got me some blue-blockers so my eyes don't get as strained. I can still see with them on, at least for work which is a plus. And as some of you may know, I had surgery a few weeks ago. I'm recovering fine, but will have to go back one last time to finish it up. And whoever decided to name something that requires surgery on your hind-end a "fistula" is just messed up...I mean the jokes are right there. If I was working in person, I would have to use sick days as I am not supposed to drive, especially on my pain meds. But I can still do my job at home in some amount of comfort.

So I guess we can only make the best of the situation we are in. Whining and complaining will do nothing to change anything. Someday soon, I will be able to go out and hang out with my friends. Someday soon I will be back in front of my classroom. Life will go on, and we will adjust.

Until Next Time...be awesome to each other!

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