Our five-month spring break finally ended this week when Avery and Damon returned to in-person learning at school. Our school corporation gave the option of all online learning or all in-person learning, at least for the first semester. We know how important it is for our kids to be in traditional school with teachers and other kids, so it really was not a difficult decision for us to send the kids back to school. Also, our administration has been incredible with their planning and communications, so we have no doubt that our kids will be well cared for during their school days.
As if COVID wasn’t enough to deal with, we also are experiencing a transition as Avery enters middle school. Last week Avery and I went to her new school to walk her schedule, fill her locker, and get her acclimated to an entirely new environment. That little introduction helped her feel better about going on the first day of school.
The hardest part of middle school (so far) is the new schedule. Now Avery’s bus picks her up at 6:50 a.m., compared to 8:10 a.m. in elementary school. This means she’s out of bed around 6:15 a.m., while it’s still dark outside. Luckily it brightened up quickly so she wasn’t waiting at the bus stop in the dark. But that will come soon enough!
This year’s first-day pictures have to include a mask!
When Damon woke up, Avery was long gone. I think he missed his sister a little. And honestly, it was a little strange for me that they each got ready for school separately.
Damon has plenty of sports-themed masks to keep him happy at school!
At the end of their days, Avery and Damon both came home full of excitement and stories about the first day. They talked nonstop for the next hour! It reminded me of this video of Avery after her first day of preschool. She’s grown up so much yet she hasn’t changed much either!
Here’s to a successful school year and no at-home learning! :o)