Today is Labor Day, the traditional last day of summer vacation. Though in recent years, as school seemed to begin earlier and earlier in August, the significance of Labor Day has diminished.
We all have “back to school” memories. Maybe of our own first days of school—kindergarten, junior high, high school, or some other memorable year. Or maybe our strongest memories are of sending our kids off to school—the first day of kindergarten, or settling them in a college dorm room.
But this year is different.
In 2020, some of us are sending children off to classes with fears our little ones will contract COVID-19. Others are keeping kids at home and wondering how to survive weeks or months of teaching them at home while going about our own responsibilities.
For some of us, school began in August. For others, it is starting tomorrow. For yet others, we still don’t know what the school schedule will be. “Back to school” is just another way in which 2020 is a year unlike any other we have known.
I have been grateful I don’t have to make the decision whether to send my children to class in person or keep them at home. But I know many relatives and friends who have had to make that call. Some want their kids to have the in-person socialization that is so important to childhood development. Some think their children would be better off at home, and they willingly undertake the challenge of educating their kids while working from home.
One niece decided to go ahead with her college internship abroad this autumn, despite the risk of being far from home. Two high-school-aged nieces will start the school year online, as will some grade-school relatives.
I don’t think there is any one right answer. Different families face different challenges and risks. Different parts of the country are at differing points on the COVID-19 curve. Some parents can’t school their children at home—they are essential to keeping our healthcare system or our emergency services or our supply chains running smoothly. Some parents can’t take any risk of COVID-19—someone in their family is immuno-compromised.
One size doesn’t fit all.
This is one more area in which we have to trust parents to do what they think is best for their family. We all want our children learning safely. The best way to do that varies from family to family. Moralizing and stigmatizing doesn’t help anyone.
For families everywhere, I pray for the health and safety of children and parents—and of grandparents who might also be affected by the “back to school” decision. And for all of us, may we find our way to a new normal soon.
What does “back to school” look like for your family this year?
I LOVED the first day of school, and i LOVED summer swimming and playing in the golden California hills. But the first day of school was always a thrill for me, and one that took some thought about what to wear and how my hair looked [in jr hi and high school]. I guess I had new shoes, but that was not half as important as seeing my friends. I lived in the foothills of California and playing with friends was always challenging. I had to walk miles, or meet them at a high school pool, or see them downtown. Walking to the new high school was also challenging, but closer than any of my friend’s homes. Even on my first day of college, I couldn’t wait to show my dad my new textbooks and all the things I’d learn that first semester. I guess my quest for knowledge has never left me, hence my historical novels [sometimes dressed up as time travel], but historical none the less.
Pam, I’m glad you have all those wonderful memories of school days. Some of my first days of school were happy days, but some were anxiety-laden. New schools, would I fit in, etc.
Theresa