Remote Learning Locations
One of the most talked about subjects in the news media recently has been about schools and what the plan for reopening should be. Should every school open up in the fall like normal or should school systems stick with remote learning for now? This is a complicated issue and there are countless opinions on the matter. However, we do know one thing for sure. School will be different in the fall.
Location Matters
It is nearly impossible to come up with a national plan for every school system. The United States is a vast area and is comprised of people from very different backgrounds and histories. As a result, local school systems should operate differently, they need to cater to their student base. That being said, there also needs to be some national requirements. We cannot have American history being taught differently to different people. Some uniformity should exists. This has been a talking point between the Democrats and Republicans for years. Who should ultimately be responsible for education standards? The answer is simple, both. We need national guidance but we also need local input to make curriculums relatable to the students so they get the most out of them.
The recent virus pandemic has put additional focus on this debate. The Federal government wants all schools to open in the fall, but some local governments say they are not ready. COVID-19 is not infecting the country equally everywhere. Some states are past their peaks while others are just entering it. It is a very fluid situation and each community needs to do what is best for their citizens and their circumstance. In classic American fashion, this topic will be debated and argued constantly; however, we must remember it is not the government’s responsibility to raise our children. We should expect some help and some guidance, only a fool ignores free help. Yet, we cannot rely on it entirely. We need to work with our local, state, and federal government to come up with a solution that fits the needs of every community. Finally, do not assume other people’s situations are the same as yours. Some people can accommodate parenting and remote learning better than others, so try to be understanding.
Study Settings
It might be up in the air where your child will study this fall but one thing has become obvious, we need space at home for our children to study. Some people will likely start the year with remote learning only, others might have full time in person classes, and finally some places will have a mixture of both. This is beyond our individual control. We do have a say in our community but we live in a society where majority rules. If 75% of your school district votes to start with remote learning the remaining 25% will have to deal with it. It is unfortunate for some but it is the society we live in. That being said we need to be prepared at home for whatever happens. Most of us do not have the space in our homes to set up an entire classroom, so we must get creative in where we set up our children.
Space is a luxury that some of us have and others do not. When space is tight we have to get creative. Step one in trying to find a space to set up as a classroom for our children is assessing what space is available. Odds are most of the tables and desks are already being occupied by us. We have been remote working for some time and have needed to find work places, in our homes, that fit our needs. As a result we need to come up with other options. These options can vary in price and functionality based on the setting. A kitchen island or breakfast bar is a great choice for many of us. Others can come up with plans that involved a couch and a TV tray. We just need to find something that can get the job done. Think function over style and find what will work for the space we have.
In contrast, some of us are fortunate enough to have extra rooms or space in the basement where we can set up a bigger learning center. For those of us who have this luxury we need to think about furniture. Cheap might not necessarily be the best option. Think about what will be functional long term. Does a full desk make sense? For some yes but others might benefit from a table and chair set up that can be used for family events or parties. We can even change this area into a play room or hobby center years down the road. If we have the ability to create a new space for this purpose remember to think about the future. We want to buy things that last and things that we will enjoy years down the road. A cheap folding table will do the job but if we get something nicer we can create a space we will enjoy for the rest of our lives.
Uncertainty is probably the best word to use to describe the upcoming school season. We do not know how much in person classes we will have, we do not know if sports will be a thing, and we do not know what the long term effects of our decisions will be. We can only do what we think is best for our family, our community, and our country. Just remember that this is a unique time and we must be open minded to change. Be respectful of the majority’s decisions and do the best we can with what we have to work with. Finally, remember that education is important to the future of our children and our country. Do what it takes to ensure we follow through on our commitment to provide our children with the best education possible.