Today is the last school day for my kids here in the Atlanta Public School (APS) system for the next two or three weeks or beyond. So, what does one do on The Last Day?
It all began yesterday when I was taking a rare after-dinner walk (or rather kids on scooters and me walking) to the park when I received a text from another parent that APS was closing. I suppose I knew in the back of my mind that it was coming because the signs were all there. First, Fulton County and Cobb County schools had each closed due to infected staff for what at first seemed was a day or two to “wipe down” the schools and identify others who might be infected. But, in the back of my mind I was wondering how this could be done since even here in the ATL, home of the CDC, we didn’t have COVID-19 test kits to administer. Second, in the news were other school systems closing in other places around the country. But, the real sign was when the school sent home increasingly urgent information and take home instructions for getting on-line access. This seemed odd as we only have about 10 weeks of school left and my twins are in Kindergarten (not even a required year of education in GA). And, my suspicions were further raised when my kids came home with two library books each, something that had not happened all year. Even my avid reader 4th grader came home with new library books.
Then came a barrrage of APS communication – texts and robocalls – that my kids elementary school would be open for one last day to get materials and instructions during the indefinite period (2-3 weeks initial estimate overlapping spring break) of school closure. The most ironic aspect was that today/Friday was Picture Day at the school raising the question: Would the kids employ social distancing when taking classroom pictures? And, would families actually send their kids to school?
So, why on my last day would I create a blog? For a long time I’ve wanted to start a parenting blog and as an older single working parent of three with a long CV of international and community development technical assistance and training, as well as social justice and civil rights activism, this feels like the perfect storm. I have been listening with a thirsty ear for information and advice for parents. And, I am finding virtually none – just a call to stop doing everything that makes us a functioning community (cancel all group activities, exercise social distancing, close schools, stop religious services, and so on) without providing guidance on how to deal with child care, schooling from home, remote working (with kids in the house), keeping your household supplied (food, hygiene, educational materials, etc.), and juggling it all.
It feels like an alternate reality. No mention of APS on the radio, even from our GPB station that is owned by APS. No mention of APS in the news of other school systems closing. No discussion about what parents do when school ends at 2:30pm and a whole new reality begins. Parenting seems to be nowhere in the public discouse. Again the gut-punch again of the loss of Elizabeth Warren as a different kind of leader who has real plans for responding to needs of families (and everyone else) that are so critical in these times of crisis. And we know that with climate change such challenges to our country and the world are likely to happen with greater frequency and ferocity.
But I must stop now and go out and do what one does on The Last Day. A trip to Best Buy to get my son’s laptop fixed, buy an extra chromebook to stave off twin sharing fatigue, order a dishwasher to replace the one that has been broken and unused for years just for the sanicycle. A stop at the library to exchange books before they also close. Appreciating the serendipity of a broken washer and dryer last week that were recently replaced with new steam cycle versions . . .