Officially Done

Virtual school 2020 is officially done.

I went to school this past week to clean up, pick everything off the floor, and get my classroom ready for the summer.  I only had 3 hours, and one of them was used for signing out.  My room was a little bit of a mess because when they dismissed us in March indefinitely, I was a little perplexed.  That afternoon I pretty much just grabbed my purse and went home.  With two hours, I didn't have much time to organize anything.  So, I just put things in an empty spot.  I certainly have my work cut out for me when we finally do get back.  

It was difficult saying good-bye to my students today, especially my 8th graders.  They did not want to end the Google Meets.  There were tears and memories and gratitudes.  

Our district has not informed us one way or another what August will look like.  It's all uncertain and, frankly, nerve wracking.  I am a planner.  I don't like surprises.  This pandemic has certainly taken me out of my comfort zone, for sure.  

I found out that next year my school will be merging the ELA and Reading department into one.  I am the Department Instructional Leader for both the ELL and ELA departments.  Now we will be bringing Reading to the party.  I will be sharing the leadership position with the department leader for the Reading department.  We will be creating an interdepartmental Literacy Task Force to re-examine and update our school-wide literacy initiatives.  I'm excited about it.  Fingers crossed that our faculty will buy in.  I suppose my summer will include some of this work.  

It will also include rest and relaxation, lots of novels, summer cleaning, ice cream and laughter.  My husband and I always go on two vacations in the summer.  One in the beginning and one at the end.  This year, obviously, will be a little different.  I'm hoping to have a staycation, instead, to spruce up my house a little.  And, if things get a little better, maybe we can have our end of the summer get away.  Time will tell.

Thank you for sharing virtual school with me.  

I'll be by in the summer to peek in and say hello.  

God Bless and Big Hugs,

Damarise

Two More . . .

I'm super excited, two more weeks.

I have a ton of work to do, but I'm looking forward to this school year's closing.We are not sure what August is going to look like, nevertheless, I 've decided that I cannot change the future with worry.  

Relax, that's my word of the year.

Relax.

 Have a lovely week ~

Hugs,

Damarise

The Count Down . . .

Finally decided to take a drive by the beach this weekend after 

finishing Week 6 of remote learning.  

The weather has been so beautiful, yet we've been locked in our houses.

Week six went fairly smoothly.  I still have students who are not putting much effort into remote learning.  I'm not sure why as we have had difficulty reaching parents, as well.  Just counting down these last three weeks and keeping my fingers crossed about the Fall.  There have been murmurings that our district may continue remote learning through the beginning of the next school year.  

Going with the flow at this point, three more weeks to go for us.  

We can do this!  

Big Hugs!

Damarise

Hanging In There . . .

Hello There, again.  

I hope you're all faring well during this end of April, beginning of May transition. 

What an April we had . . .  

My favorite part of virtual school is the morning.  I enjoy waking up, making my morning coffee, pouring my orange juice, and hoping the day will go smoothly.  One of the silver linings of this craziness is not having to rush out, forgetting your phone or your lunch bag, having to run back home, forgetting you had a parent-teacher conference, spilling coffee on your white blouse . . .

During virtual school, mornings have been calm for me.  I've enjoyed that. 

This week I had a few little mishaps, but I gave myself a little more grace than I had since virtual school  began.  I recorded two read alouds the week prior.  Because I was doing so many things at the same time, I forgot to test them.  I uploaded them into Google Classroom.  The emails started pouring in, "Mrs. Reyes, I can't hear anything."  I didn't realize until a little while later, the audio did not record.  I'm sure I messed up somehow, but here I am in a crunch.  The kids are waiting for their work and they cannot access it.  Eventually, it was resolved, due dates extended.  All is well in virtual land.

One of my non-school activities this week was making a face mask.  I was so excited to make this face mask.  First, my machine was working, but my needle broke.  I had to put it on hold until I could get a needle online.  My needle arrives, then my machine stopped working.  Will not complete the stitch.  No sewing machine repair shops open due to the shut down.  I'm disappointed I could not get my mask finished.  Not sure at this point if I should buy a new machine or fix my old one.  I looked on the internet, many machines are OUT OF STOCK.  We'll see. . .

Another non-school activity I decided to do was take walks during my lunch break.  I have fully enjoyed these walks because the days have been gorgeous where I live.  It just seemed so ironic, the weather has been so sweet, yet we have had to stay indoors.  My little walks have helped me get some Vitamin D and to get to just get out.  

One more super fun thing was hosting a Bible Journaling Night through Zoom with my Bible Journaling Group.  This was super fun.  

Next week begins our sixth week of virtual school.  No word yet what will happen in August.  Our district will be having online summer school for students who would normally go to summer school.  I think that's wonderful, for the kids primarily, but also for teachers who count on those summer jobs to get by.  

It's been quite a journey, and it's not over yet.  

I'm hoping and praying, the worst is behind us.

Thinking of all of you.

Big Hugs,

Damarise