School Daze

It’s that time of year when the kids will be returning to school! The summer always seems to just fly by.

I can’t believe it, but I’ve been out of school for 30 years. Matter of fact, I’m getting ready for my 30^th class reunion. I can’t wait to see the mighty lions from the Meadowdale Class of 91!

Thinking back to when I was in school, things seemed a lot easier than it is today. All I was really worried about back then was friends, how I looked, boys, lunch, and of course, my grades.

Currently students have many more obstacles to face, especially with the COVID pandemic that’s still hanging around. Last year, most schools were forced to close and as result virtual learning was implemented.

The method of virtual learning is learning over a computer. For some students, this may be a great method. What are the positives of virtual learning?  Not having to wake up early to catch the bus, reviewing your work is probably a lot easier and it’s exciting to experience different ways of doing things, especially through technology.

Another good thing about virtual learning is that students don’t have to wear masks. Due to the new delta variant, masking in school will continue to be an option. Masking is an issue for me, it makes it hard for me to communicate.

Some negative factors of learning over a computer is that some have difficulties learning in a virtual style. For some, it is difficult to learn if they do not have the one-on-one in-person learning. Math was a subject I struggled with during my school years. I can’t imagine trying to learn math virtually. It was difficult learning in person.  Students can get easily distracted.  But the most detrimental part of virtual learning is the lack of social interaction.

As I think back to my days in school, I wonder how I would’ve handled learning virtually. I think it would have been hard. I learn better in person and the lack of personal interaction with my teachers would have hurt my learning process. Also, during my school days, I received many therapies to enhance my growth process. Speech, physical and occupational therapies were offered at my schools on a weekly basis. If I hadn’t received these services while I was in school, the skills I needed to live independently would’ve been in jeopardy.

Although many schools will resume the “normal” in-school routine, many students will continue to learn virtually as an accommodation until the pandemic ceases completely. I’m all for this accommodation, but we must never forget all children learn differently and we must do whatever it takes so that no child is left behind.

If students learn better in person, school systems should make sure it is available to them.

I’m hopeful the world, including schools, will go back to some of the ways we are used to do things. In the meantime, it’s going to take everyone to make sure every student has a good year. Please do your part to nurture the children of our future.