THE WHEELS ON THE BUS …
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
We saw our collective protective role, prepared children for risks – taught them to cross streets, ride bikes, and do sports, preparing them for risk-taking in a grown-ups world. But not for this.
Every parent’s goal, always to bestow upon their offspring a one-up start for an enriched experience of life.
Everything changed …
Governments and schools are wildly inconsistent, haphazard, and experimental, worrying enough in itself, but these aren’t carefully calculated measurable risks, as they are political ones, societal ones.
I recall blissful simpler times, when back to school’s predictable essay, ‘how you spent summer vacation’ tapped into fun-laden summers when school days were unforced and returning was carefree, rather than obediently masking, observing distancing protocols.
Wheels on the bus, turning again, yellow boxes carrying precious cargo, ‘energy to burn’ kids.
Classrooms are cathedrals of knowledge for teaching science experiments or investigating alternative teaching methods, but no classroom should be the petri dish; no parent wants any student’s health harmed by an inadequately prepared high-risk experimentation.
Teachers and parents are rightfully fearful; return to school is unease for everyone. Adjusted practices in schools are untested/unproven.
While some students may have fallen behind, my bet would be those substitutes, alternatives, and enhanced focus by parents will have grounded kids better, educating them to be more adaptable and resilient than any course they might ever have taken-up because real life is the best school.
Drive safely.
Watch out for the kids.
Six months hence, we’ll know more about COVID-19, practices will change, results will reveal that reopening schools was smoother than expected, or milder than feared, but could there also be crushing defeats?
Probably.
Reader feedback:
A strong and effective call to engage in the dialogue that shapes our beloved country, Mark. I’m moved and motivated to do just that, PW, Calgary, AB
Reading you this morning, I felt like you actually were talking to me personally...answering my question: What to do? Wish I knew? Thanks for your thoughts .....always nice to read something that triggers the brain....in this case , my brain ! Because some days you just feel like you are in this fog and need some clarity. Thanks again!, DB, Calgary, AB
Mark, we, of course, could also be open to learning and change our point of view if and when we learn something new. COVID is a good example of this. We have all had to learn as new facts come out about this brand new thing and everyone was and is learning about it as time goes by. LH, Lethbridge, AB
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