Here’s a thought for us all:

From https://m.facebook.com/ictlearnwichita/?ref=bookmarks

If teacher’s social media posts are any indicator, the U.S. educational system is nearing Defcon 2 where reopening is concerned. The Coronavirus took a great leap upward with re-openings across the country. Many teachers are scared to go back. Many school boards and school administrations are trying to figure out which direction to take. The American Academy of Pediatrics has been pushing for schools to reopen with students physically in the classrooms this fall, observing especially that evidence is piling up to show isolation has led to mental health issues that must be weighed against other health risks. In the meantime, teachers are sharing sites with masks and face shield instructions, debating how they will manage new safety requirements. Some are retiring. A few are even resigning with COVID fears as the cause.

I saw this picture today, though, and I wanted to share its message with parents and teachers. As I write this, I am thinking of a local parent who posted to the neighborhood app that she is worried online schooling will prevent her son from getting his golf scholarship Other parents have chimed in on both sides of the elearning dilemma, some issuing warnings about dangers to immunocompromised kids and kids with diabetes, arthritis, other pre-existing conditions. On the other side are those parents who are frantically worried about learning losses from elearning.

I know a number of kids are aware of their parents’ worries, and adolescents especially are reflecting those worries as they communicate with friends over social media. The younger crowd may not be writing down their fears, but all children listen to their parents speak. Sometimes they may appear to be playing Mario Kart 8, but today’s children are experts at multitasking.

As much as kids appear to ignore adult conversation, morsels of that conversation are being chewed on all the time. The above picture says it all for me: Stay positive and model perseverance. Young people cannot control the current school situation. Sometimes their parents may be unable to affect plans they dislike. Parents near me are trying to get the district to open the two local high schools and allow students on campus. Maybe they will succeed. Maybe they won’t. In either case, I hope parents will not add to their children’s stress by sharing too many concerns.

Eduhonesty: We are making history right now. Every so often, a microbe slips off the leash, and COVID-19 remains nowhere near in control, despite some rah-rah speeches that ignore the numbers. Not only will there be no perfect choices for our next school year, sometimes there may not even be good choices — at least in comparison to 2019.

But attitude is huge and kids tend to adopt the attitude of their parents and teachers. If parents and teachers remain positive, our students will have a far greater chance of holding onto their own equanimity and enthusiasm for learning. At home, whatever the plan, the best approach will be to be enthusiastic about what happens.

“It’s so great that I have a chance to spend all this time with you!”

“I loved that video presentation you prepared on Costa Rica!”

“These new online bedtime stories are great. Didn’t Ms. Porter do a wonderful job of reading “A Porcupine Named Fluffy?”

“Be sure to wear your mask, but I know it will be fine. Maybe we can buy some fabric you like to make a new mask or two. That would be fun!”

“Yes, I imagine you don’t like the cafeteria changes, but maybe you can help me plan next week’s lunches. I bet we can come up with something more delicious than the old cafeteria meals.”

“I bought you the cutest penguin to hold your hand sanitizer. It attaches to your purse/backpack/belt loop.”

“We should make lawn signs for your birthday party! We need to plan the games for when we Zoom, too.”

“You should take up running to keep in shape for when sports open up again. Maybe we could all go biking more often.”

“Your report on the mating habits of armadillos is so interesting! Who knew armadillos did that? This is great research.”

For the kids’ sake, please let’s all try to sell whatever plan our local school district decides to put into play. In or out, remote or not, for the kids’ sake, we have to make the best or it. We want to encourage enthusiasm for this year and for all the years to come. When the next school year arrives, it will be a time to emphasize the importance and joy of learning — however we can manage to pursue that learning. Today more than ever, that question “What did you learn in school today?” should be worked into as many evenings as possible.

As to our real and valid concerns about COVID-related educational changes — I recommend we discuss those with other adults while out of earshot of the kids whenever possible.