It’s been a month since I wrote my blog post about safe tips for returning to school. (If you want to check out my previous blog post, you can find it here.) It’s also been a month since I have returned to the school building. I thought I would revisit my tips to let you know which ones were realistic, or not, and to share what I have learned so far. I know many of you are just returning to the classroom, so I hope this helps.
Before we get started, you should know that we started back in the hybrid model. This means that kids are separated into two cohorts. Cohort A is there on Mondays and Wednesdays, Cohort B is there on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we have virtual classes at home every Friday. Students also had the choice to do 100% virtual learning.
TIP #1: FIND A CLEAN, ISOLATED AREA FOR YOUR BELONGINGS
I thought I wouldn’t carry a purse anymore, but that didn’t go well. I was constantly switching from my backpack to a purse. Instead, I keep my purse in my desk, and my backpack sits under a table behind my desk.
TIP #2: LEAVE THE BUILDING WITHOUT TOUCHING SURFACES
I still stick to the this tip as much as possible. However, I do keep hand sanitizer in my car, so I use that as soon as I get in the car. I have heard that keeping hand sanitizer in a hot car isn’t a good idea, though.
TIP #3: KEEP YOUR CAR DECONTAMINATED
This lasted about one day. I am the only one that uses my car, usually, so I do put my backpack on the backseat, but I don’t put anything in a trunk or way in the back like I had planned.
TIP #4: CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES
You would think I have a major disease each time I walk in the house, if you watched my husband. However, I can understand his feelings. I do change my clothes right when I get home, I wash my face, and I put my clothes in a separate closet or hamper until the weekend. I also put my purse and backpack on a chair that no one uses. I keep everything in there until the following morning.
TIP #5: HAVE A SAFE WATER BOTTLE
Boy, did I have high hopes when I thought I could drink a gallon of water a day! Who was I kidding that I would actually have time to go to the bathroom that many times? I am glad I bought a gallon water bottle, though, and I keep refilling the water bottle I keep on the desk throughout the day. It felt funny using a huge water bottle every time I wanted a sip of water. A colleague bought this instead, and I would recommend it.
TIP #6: KEEP FACIAL WIPES AT WORK
I have used my facial wipes once or twice during the day, but it’s especially nice right after work. I feel like I am scrubbing the day off of my face.
TIP #7: YOU MIGHT WANT TO SHOWER
I don’t shower when I get home. It’s takes all of my energy to just change my clothes and wash my face. Ha.
TIP #8: IT’S OKAY TO HAVE A RE-USABLE LUNCH BAG
I heavily recommend an insulated lunch bag, if you normally don’t use one. This always keeps my food cold, and I can just keep it behind my desk. That way, it isn’t in the refrigerator with everyone’s bags. I also keep my hand sanitizer in there, so it’s easily accessible each time I eat lunch.
If you really want to get fancy and keep things cold, you could even get one by Yeti.
TIP #9: WIPE DOWN THE INSIDE OF YOUR CAR IF OTHERS ARE USING IT
I have yet to do this. Enough said.
FINAL TIP: FIND YOUR FRIENDS
I would not have survived the start of the year if it wasn’t for my friends at work. The first weeks back were filled with, “But how do I…” In fact, that still happens on a daily basis. There were constant conversations about how to set up our rooms, do we clean desks between classes, how do we grade assignments that students have completed at home, etc.
HERE IS WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
LEARNING #1: SMALL CLASSES DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
I don’t know if I am just lucky this semester, or if the kids are so thankful to be back, but they are on their best behavior. They have been wonderful about their masks too. Some could find a mask that fits their face better, though. Those masks that are too tight against their mouth makes them sound very muffled. Those that are too loose tend to fall down more easily. That being said, I LOVE being in class with my students right now.
Here’s the thing. Even though I only see my students in person twice a week, I feel like I know them better than when there are 30 kids in there at one time. We have time to chat and get to know each other. They know each other’s names because they only have so many to learn. Friendships are starting to flourish, and we are already starting to feel like a family, even at the secondary level. They cheer each other on and there is a positive energy in each class.
LEARNING #2: FIND A MASK THAT IS COMFORTABLE
I have found that the non-surgical paper masks are the most comfortable to wear for long periods. They also seem to fit the kids best and you can understand them better. The prices have really come down, so if you want just the basic ones, you can find a good deal. Otherwise, they also come in colors, if you want to get fancy.
Luckily, I also had a parent of a past student make me some masks as well. When the paper masks start to burn behind my ear, I use the masks that she made since they wrap around the back of my head, instead of behind the ears.
LEARNING #3: YOU WILL CONSTANTLY REMIND KIDS TO SOCIAL DISTANCE
You will have to constantly remind the kids to keep social distancing, especially if they are middle schoolers. I think they automatically have magnets on their bodies. If we didn’t have the smaller class sizes, we wouldn’t be able to social distance. Period. The kids have figured out how to social distance on stage and in groups. Since some of my classes have a pretty small cohort or two, the girls are learning that it is okay to talk to the guys, and vice-versa. The 6th graders shoot daggers through my forehead each time I tell them that, though.
LEARNING #4: GOOGLE CLASSROOM AND COHORTS
Since I teach six classes, a big decision to make was whether to set up my Google Classroom groups by cohort or keep them together in one period. I decided to divide them up by cohort, which means I have twelve cohort groups in Google Classroom. I did this so it was easier to post assignments for the group at home, without confusing those in class. I’m not sure this was the best idea. It also means that EdPuzzle assignments would be divided up by class, and it takes more time to post when I use Flipgrid. Doing it this way definitely has its pros and cons.
LEARNING #5: GET A GOOD AIR FILTER IF YOU CAN
Just hearing the sound of a good air filter makes me feel safer. Plus, it blows out cool, fresh air, so when anyone needs to cool off their face from their mask, you can see one of us standing in front of the air filter. If you teach choir, drama, or band/orchestra, push your district to supply one for you. It is for the safety of everyone. If not, maybe try setting up a Go Fund Me account and see if others will donate to your cause. Here is the one I have in my room. It is actually on sale on Amazon right now. I like it because it has a light that shows the HEPA filter is still strong and working.
LEARNING #6: TELL YOUR STUDENTS TO DRINK WATER
On the very first day, I asked the students if they now felt funny drinking water because they have to move their mask to do so. Most of them raised their hands. I told them that they HAVE to drink water to survive the day. I felt funny the first day back to work with just teachers. I came home with a terrible headache because I was dehydrated. I showed them the best way to drink water, since they are sitting in seats that are socially distanced, and I took away the feeling of uneasiness.
LEARNING #7: BE PREPARED TO BE EXHAUSTED
They say there is no tired like the beginning of the school year tired. However, add that on to all of the extra planning, grading, and breathing through a mask for 8 hours, and you will now really know tired. Find ways to take care of yourself. I’m lucky that my husband takes care of so much around our house because I am extra exhausted at the end of the day. I warned him that this year will be like no other for me. I’m a very lucky woman that he understands.
LAST LEARNING: BE OKAY WITH JUST DOING OKAY
To be honest, I’m still working on this one. I won’t even tell you how many hours I worked this weekend, but I know I will get in my groove soon. Parents appreciate what you are doing for their kids. Stay off social media, and don’t read more into those that are loudest. Know that you are doing your best…for right now. It won’t always be this way, and you can’t teach the way you used to before March. Just know…”You got it, dude.”
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