Well, this happened fast!  Last weekend I was composing a blog about my objections to testing, using a visit to my parents in Florida as the premise. Well, that trip is canceled, and the topic can wait.  (No worries, that blog will come out soon as part of a project I complete this coming week.)

A week ago, at North Star, we sent off a service trip to Washington, D.C.   Only once they were two days into their trip did we start worrying whether we would have to ask all of the participants to stay home an extra week after their trip.  By the time we could think through that discussion, all of our local colleges were closing down. On Wednesday, we decided to extend our scheduled spring break by a week for everyone, and by the time we announced our decision, all the local public schools announced their closures as well.  So much for being ahead of the curve.

Now, all local families are experiencing an unanticipated time of a long spring vacation or the commencement of an online school-at-home adventure.  I’d like to offer a few thoughts on the new reality, knowing that by the time you read this essay (composed Saturday, March 14) it may be overtaken by new events.

First, most of us are feeling varying levels of stress:  about our health, the health of our loved ones, and the uncertainties ahead of us.  We may face concerns about salaries and work and our families’ financial stability. Those with children home from school may have worries about supervision and childcare.  Even more, all of us are connected to people who have health vulnerabilities and the normal rash of human difficulties without this virus. In other words, the school closings are not part of a fun, surprise vacation.

Second, for those parents with children in school, there will be some expectations that children do the homework and online lessons as much as possible.  I am not here to undermine the continuation of schooling as best as it can be conducted in these circumstances. However, plenty of children do not have internet access at home, and in many ways the school protocols of grades, credits, and attendance will have to be suspended.  While respecting the goal of keeping the traditional academic learning going, I urge parents and teens to not get too immersed in conflicts over this work. Online lessons can be a good daily structure, and even be helpful to learning in some cases. I propose that families see the assignments as potentially useful tools, knowing that it is unclear whether schools will be able to base grades and credits for this spring on these assignments.

Third, our community goal needs to be to “Flatten the Curve.”  Let’s try to slow the spread of the virus, and do what we can to give our health care workers the best opportunity to serve those who are ill.  This goal means we need to embrace “Social Distancing” as much as possible.  We all have our own circumstances.  Just remember, the goal isn’t just to not get sick ourselves.  The goal is not to become a carrier who spreads it to others. Even if most of us are likely to have mild illnesses, the issue isn’t about our own personal experiences.  I know everyone can’t stay home, but let’s all do what we can and see what happens over the next couple of weeks.

Fourth, both for school-students and existing  homeschoolers, now is a fine time to take up a new home-based hobby.  It could be cooking, music, or art. It could be reading the full series of some authors you have heard about.  It could be mapping all the trees in your neighborhood by type, or birdwatching in a serious way. We can all go outside for walks or hikes or bike rides.  We can amuse ourselves online, of course, but we could in theory do some new things as well.

Fifth, some people I know are making it a point to write, phone, or communicate with a long-lost friend or relative every day.  Check in on someone and find out how they are doing. Maybe others will do the same with you!

Sixth, for families who feel it is important to continue traditional academic learning and want some suggestions, some free online platforms that have proven useful to North Star members include:  Khan Academy, Code Academy, The Crash Course (youtube series on all sorts of topics in presented in a witty, entertaining manner — U.S. History is this link), Edx, and Coursera.   One platform that has low fees for online interactive classes with live teachers and students is Outschool.com.  One local friend has started a Facebook group for people to share resources.

For those of you new to this world, there is a whole industry of courses available to homeschoolers, many for free or at low costs.  Explore. 

Seventh, and finally, at the risk of being pedantic, remember, “You don’t need school to learn.”  and “Everything counts.” Just because you haven’t been assigned a task and just because you won’t receive a grade for doing it, what you do still matters!  Please, in your good health, go do something interesting and feel satisfaction from your efforts.  

I think that may be enough for the moment. Again, events are happening so fast that our plans change every day.  We really don’t know what April is likely to bring to our communities.

 For now, I’ll be at home in Montague.  I’d be happy to go for a walk with you if you are up this way.