Pandemic Week 26: School Begins.....Virtually

September 13, 2020

At long last, Anna began her freshman year at James Madison High School (you can check out the school website here. It may have been virtual, but she was very happy to get started.

1st day of High School

The school is following a regular class schedule Tuesday - Friday (Monday is a teacher work day). She will log in at the time her class would normally begin. The hope is the kids will be back in person at some point and will be able to roll right into the regular schedule. Her classes include: choir, English, algebra, Spanish 2, World History/Geography, biology, and studio art. Anna is in a "cohort" for English, history, and biology, which means she has the same people each class and the courses coordinate topics and projects (more project-based than tests). So far, she is most excited about the art class (no surprise). After school, she has been hanging out with her friend Julianna. There has been a lot of skateboarding this week.

Much of the week was learning how to use the technology. The teachers are trying to make the most of the interactive features. Friday there was a problem with the major internet provider resulting in little class activity. By Friday evening, the school system sent out a note about ransomware that had infiltrated the school IT systems (that made local news). There were some challenges, but clearly the teachers have spent a lot of time planning how to make the most of the virtual technology. No news on the ransomware, but we assume class is still on for Tuesday.

The family had a chance to enjoy some beautiful weather throughout the week, beginning with Labor Day. Theresa loaded up the bikes and the family headed up to Brunswick, MD for a ride on the C&O Canal trail to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It was a gorgeous section of trail along the Potomac River with some nice places to stop and dunk your feet in the water. It should be noted that Anna was not particularly thrilled with this trip and went under protest, but her parents secretly believe she may have enjoyed herself.

The virtual classroom

Saturday was the annual neighborhood shrimp & crab fest. Big kudos go to a group of neighbors who figured out how to pull together this event in a socially distant manner. Thanks to the nice weather, people were able to dine in the pool parking lot (neighbors set up their shade tents and spaced out tables). Everyone received a box with their food along with beverages. Masks were required to pick up food and whenever you could not maintain social distance. One of the neighborhood bands played.....from a distance. Theresa brought the food home so that she could share with Anna (Joe was not interested in crabs, so he ordered a chicken dinner). This was Anna's first time picking crabs, so it was an event! Joe was finished with his meal 45 minutes before Anna and Theresa (it takes a while to pick crabs). Joe and Theresa walked back to the clubhouse to enjoy the band and see some neighbors. They quickly realized it is hard to hold a conversation normally with a band playing, but even more challenging while wearing a mask. It was nice to see neighbors and enjoy some live music (even if conversation was limited)!

Sundays are usually family outing day with destinations rotating between family members. Today Joe picked a day trip to Annapolis, Maryland. The family loaded up (again, Anna under protest) and headed out to enjoy the historic sites. Much was closed due to COVID (including the naval academy campus), but it was still nice to get out. Clearly the naval academy has issued strict orders to the midshipman who all had a mask on when walking downtown. The trip concluded with some ice cream (Anna's favorite part of the trip).

The other event of Sunday was the kick-off for the high school youth ministry. They were able to put together an event in the parking lot that allowed for social distancing. This event did not get high marks from Anna who noted they watched the same videos they saw last year. She did get chips, so that was a positive for her.

This week, both Vienna Jammers and Swimming resume. Much to look forward to!