Here we are a year later. A year since schools in NC were closed. Our school board just met to hear from our superintendent about the possibility of moving from plan B to plan A. They have determined that we cannot safely do that. In addition, we are so close to the end of the school year. We have already made so many adjustments this year as teachers, students and parents. Let’s just trudge on and finish this.
The most disturbing thing I have seen in grades k-8 is the lack of motivation and engagement among middle school students. Walking through the halls is a bit creepy. Hoods are up, kids are quiet, everyone is masked. No one is joking. There is no horseplay. The students walk and sit like zombies. Faces stare into chrome books and smiles are hidden if they are ever even present.
I check on the grades of my 11 ESL middle schoolers in power school. Some are barely passing but many are failing at least one class. Some are failing multiple classes. They have given up. I call parents and talk to teachers. I ask the counselor to intervene. I try to chat with them and see how I could help. What will become of them? My greatest fear is that they will drop out as soon as they get the chance. We failed them. What could we have done?
We don’t know. We trudge on.