I should specify, too, that the school that we switched my older daughter to is a public charter that is fantastic and offers mixed grade classrooms (middle school of 6th, 7th, and 8th is all mixed), no letter grading, and lots of collaborative and creative opportunities. We are fortunate to have it and another similar, not-so-traditional format available here. My daughter's anxiety and a hearing issue make the extroverted-type activities a real challenge for her. However, when she is there in person she loves it. Part of my hesitation to switch her to something all at-home (esp. now when outside opportunities are limited due to the pandemic) is that she would lose out on a chance to gently push herself to try new things and interact in new ways in a supportive environment. Lots to think about, especially with the current circumstances.
@cc21 I would say we have had similar issues with my 12 yr old daughter. She had a difficult transition to traditional school from Montessori. The first year was the hardest. She wasn’t used to incentives like candy to complete assignments. And a rather punitive teacher didn’t help. This year - 6th grade was better - changing classes helped but also triggered anxiety. She did ok with online assignments - school is over now for the yr. she would thrive in a school like the one you described for your older daughter.
This is good time to pause and review all the options we have here. I am inclined to pull up stakes. Buy a camper and wander. We did just plant a garden though... ?
The original Sudbury school and those that followed in its wake were all founded by groups of parents who got together and decided to forge a different educational path for their children. There are probably other parents in your area who share your sentiments about a need for change, and maybe by sharing your thoughts you could get a local movement going. That's a tall order: founding a functional school (while a pandemic rages). But with each collective endeavor, there have to be the starters...
Definitely not good news.
Arizona is in trouble.
The chief clinical officer at the state’s largest hospital network said Friday that Arizona is headed to a health crisis if residents don’t change their habits to deal with COVID-19
Dr. Marjorie Bessel said the intensive-care units at the Maricopa County hospitals for Banner Health already are at full capacity. And other hospitals in Arizona are rapidly approaching that point.
Bessel said that’s no surprise, given the increasing number of cases of the coronavirus. That took a big jump Friday, with 1,579 new cases, bringing the tally in Arizona to 24,332.
But she parted ways with Gov. Doug Ducey and state Health Director Cara Christ who have said the increase is largely a factor of more people getting tested.
Bessel provided data showing the number of Banner patients on ventilators has tripled in less than two weeks.
More can be found below at the link. FYI, this was not covered in The Arizona Republic paper. Crickets there, though they do cover other Covid Arizona news
- Happy news before bed: My husband works in our state's employment department finalizing claims on the phone. The applications go back 3 months, and people are frantic. Most have heard nothing about their claim, and can't reach anyone on the phone. At the end of the calls, he tells them how much money ($8,000 is common) will arrive within 24-48 hours. I ask him what people say after that. "They don't say anything," he says. "They cry."
- If you know anyone waiting for unemployment, tell them to be optimistic. Most states had to hire and train massive staffing to handle the claims. Things are now happening at a fast pace, and hopefully this part of the nightmare will ease soon.
We are opening too fast here in the West:
LA Times: Highest Increase in a Month
LA Times: Marin County Spike in Workers
The Mercury News: Cases Increasing
KCRA: Uptick in Cases Due to Holidays, Protests
The Guardian: 14 States See Record High in New Cases
Not all of this is due to increased testing (although some may be). It's also due to human nature - there was poor compliance in my area to begin with, and now "the masks and gloves are off" - with public spaces being open (not the problem) and also crowded (very much the problem), this is not a surprise. Authorities had said they would enforce restrictions (wearing masks in stores) and also limit the number of people in public spaces. I can say 100% here in San Diego neither is happening, so I'm not surprised, just (as per my usual) dismayed.
My husband has started saying that he will need to start traveling again soon, and we are working on how to handle that, but in the meantime, I present for your entertainment "Marriage Theater 2020":
Present Day, Evening
Living Room of a Small House in San Diego
Husband: One of my government clients wanted me to get to DC asap.
Wife: I hope you told them you're not going anywhere any time soon.
Husband: Yeah, but I can't close deals at a distance, at some point I have to go in person.
Wife: Yeah, but you can't close deals if you're on a ventilator or dead.
Husband: * *
The End
People are going to lie, unless they already are lying, which they may be doing.
I have needed a few doctor appointments over the past week ir so. Questions asked before being seated in the waiting room include whether you have traveled out of state. Our state has the fourth worst state for Covid right now. Our hospitals have reached 100% normal ICU capacity. Most hospitals have no ECMO machines available, vents are running out.
Si, seriously, why does it matter if any Arizonian has traveled out of state? I haven't but will soon. I asked what would happen if I had traveled out of state. They said I would need to quarantine for 14 days after returning before the appointment. So if I drove to a state with a low case load, I need to quarantine upon return, but if I march with 1,000 protestors with or without a mask, no problem. Heck, I can shop without a mask no problem for a doctor appointment, but not travel with one, unless I get a covid test afterward.
Who makes these rules?
People will lie. Why say you have traveled if you will not be able to see a doctor? Especially when your state likely has worse cases than the state you traveled too? Our state only encourages masks except in doctor offices. So, shouldn't you be asking if I use a mask when grocery shopping. Or if I have been exercising at a large gym? Good Lord, the gym would be a red flag right? Nope. Gyms are ok, but traveling in my car to California and staying at my parents would require a 14 day quarantine before a doctor visit. But by all means, bar hopping is ok.