The kids’ first day of the hybrid learning model was on Monday, 9/14.  They had remote learning at home in the morning, lunch at home, and then went into school from 12:35-3pm.  They will have this same schedule 5 days/week.  In the morning they have work assigned by their teacher as well as specials.  It’s on a 2 week schedule, so out of every 10 days they have 6 live specials over zoom.  The other 4 are pre-recorded videos.  Here are the kids all ready for their first day at 9am that morning, sans shoes because we were going back inside for remote learning.

There wasn’t a lot of actual work that morning, so we filled the time.  Sarah and I made another elaborate chalk drawing of a panda.

After lunch we got the bags packed, shoes and masks on, and headed out to school!

Thanks to our neighbor, Molly, for taking this last pic!

After school we had to leave the school grounds immediately, and I somehow let the kids talk me into stopping by the Mr Softee truck to celebrate.

The first week went really well!  The kids’ teachers seem great, they are happy to go and happy when I pick them up, can’t ask for more.  I was sad about getting the PM cohort instead of the morning, but now it seems to be working out okay.

On the following Monday, 9/21, they opened up the school playgrounds!  It seems to be a limited opening because they are not open on the weekends, sadly.  But it was still pretty exciting!

Here’s a pic that the assistant principal sent me of Blaine at his desk!  So nice to get a glimpse inside.

I’m so happy that our school district put together a thoughtful hybrid learning model.  It seems to be working well because we have been able to get into a daily routine, and it’s enough time that the kids are getting their core instruction in math, reading and writing in class.  So much better than the Spring!  We are happy and hope that it will last…