A Fresh Start to the Year

 I am happy to see their faces each day!

The last few school years have been entered into with impending doom hanging in the air. At least that is how I have felt. But this year is different. Just seeing the kids' faces - in the flesh has made a huge difference. It feels like a barrier has been removed from building relationships with them. I can now interact and mingle with the kids from other grades again. I can talk to parents in -person. My planning includes groups of students working together. I am simply not stressed and afraid each day. I am not waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

Now, I know that we still have illnesses to face and that we may have to mask-up occasionally. There are even some teachers and students who wear them regularly. That doesn't bother me at all, and in fact, it doesn't seem to affect anyone in the school (as it should be). The difference is that it is by choice and not by force. We no longer have to be the face mask police. We are still the hand washing officers, but I can deal with that. That is nothing new really anyway! 

The kids have been amazing! They have come back to school ready to learn. They have acclimated quickly to the routines. They are happy. It is nice to be with them each day, no matter how much energy they have:) Here's to the healthiest and happiest year possible!