Pandemic Week 34: An Election and Back to School (a bit)

Week 34 of the pandemic was historic. First, the number of positive COVID cases hit record levels for several days. Second was the conclusion (eventually) of the Presidential election. Finally,it was
Anna's first week of in-person classes. Let't start with classes, which is actually only one day. Anna is in a pilot group for her high school. She happens to be in a "cross curricular cohort." This is an optional program in which your english, biology, and history class are all complimentary to each other. For example, Anna was studying Mesopotamia in history and had a biology project that looked at enzympes present in the mesopotamian diet (there was also a related writing assignment for english). The classes are project based rather than traditional test based. Anna has the same group of students in each class, which means it is easy for the school to pilot. Anna will be going on Wednesday, along with half her class and the other half of the cohort will go on Fridays. This week was the perfect week to start - the day after the election. She was treated to a lively post-election debate with her class (apparently one student is on the debate team) and lesson on the electoral college. She was thrilled to go and very disappointed that there will be no in-person class on Wednesday due to Veteran's Day. She is also getting out once a week for "dry land" swim conditioning at the football field (lots of ways to social distance). At least it is something! The weather was spectacular over the weekend. In between raking leaves and watching election results, we enjoyed a hike at Manassas Battle field on Saturday. Given all of the tensions surrounding the election, it was somehow appropriate to remember the Civil War and the ultimate cost of failing to reconcile opposing views. Sunday was Girl Scout day for Anna as she had another storm drain labeling project (the weather could not have been better) and a global action project on women's suffrage around the world. Perhaps the best summary

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Swimming with the Lakevale Dolphins

Image
The Swim Gang - Leo, Aidan, Megan & Anna Tonight Anna completed her third season with the Division II Lakevale Dolphins.  It was a great season for Anna as she improved her strokes and her times and made it to the "A"team to compete at Saturday meets.  It was an educational season for Joe and Theresa, who learned the ins and outs of life as swim team parents. The neighborhood swim team is the hub of neighborhood social activity in the summer.  There are events throughout the season, including Friday night pep rallies, and Sunday night fund events that include such things as the neighborhood scavenger hunt, laser tag night, bingo night, and even a team night at the Washington Nationals game.  In between the fun is the seriousness of the swimming, and there are definitely some top notch swimmers on the team. Anna with her lollipop for getting a "personal best" time Kids are motivated by different things. Some kids love to race.  Other kids try to beat
Read more

Camp Coles Trip & June Birthdays

Image
Anna at Girl Scout Camp Anna just returned from a fun-filled week at Girl Scout camp.  This year she was old enough to go to Camp Coles Trip, which is on a bay area off of the Potomac River.  This is a water camp, so she spent her days on the bay learning to paddle board and sail along with kayaking. Girl Scout Camp is definitely roughing it.  The camp is in the woods and girls stay in platform cabins with screens.  Anna shared a cabin with 4 other girls.  Mosquito netting is very important at night.  The only electricity is at the dining hall, health center, and activity building.  The girls are also responsible each day for doing "kapers" or chores.  They take turns helping serve meals, cleaning the bathrooms, and general clean-up.  They are also responsible for keeping track of their own things and carrying their bags. Anna had a fantastic time, despite the lack of modern conveniences, and is already planning her return next year.  She made new friends and her favo
Read more

Thanksgiving in New Jersey

Image
The Fagella family (or part of the Fagellas) celebrated Thanksgiving this year in Northern New Jersey thanks to James.  Since James was house sitting for his boss, they were very generous in letting us use their large home in their absence for a Thanksgiving celebration.  We joined Aunt Loren, Aunt Mary, James and Sundance for a Thanksgiving feast.  We could have easily fed another 20 people with all of the food, which meant lots of leftovers.  We also celebrated Aunt Mary's birthday (November 22) and Aunt Loren's (November 27) with a homemade coconut cake courtesy of James. Joe carving the turkey with his assistants. The festivities continued the next day when James hosted 22 of his high school friends for his annual Friendsgiving dinner.  Anna was kindly invited to attend the event.  Since she has attended previous dinners, she already knew many of James' friends.  Once again, the amount of food was staggering with everyone bringing a dish. Aunt Mary and Aunt Loren have c
Read more