4th & 7th Grade

In looking through pictures, I realize that I have not blogged about several important things. One is the return of school in the time of COVID. It is definitely a strange time. We elected to have the kids go back to school in a hybrid format. That means they have school online at home on Monday and Tuesday and then go to school on Thursday and Friday. We weren't sure if it would be better to be virtual or if it would be better to have face to face, but we ultimately made this choice.

The kids love being back in school where they can see friends and interact with teachers. I think they also like the days when they can sleep in a bit, be mask free and have some overall freedom at home. The hardest part is that I teach four days a week so I have to go to school every day and they are home alone two days a week. On Wednesdays, we all get to be home together. I teach via online lessons that are prerecorded. I do run up to the school long enough to give a quick lesson to 4K, but mostly we're home on that day.

In two weeks, it will start to change. Jalen will go back to four days a week. Two weeks after that, Baylie will do the same.

While I'll be glad to only have to prepare one kind of lesson instead of both face to face and virtual, I'm a little nervous about what the impact might be. I hope that we will be safe and no one will get sick.

According to surveys, teachers in our district - including me - are not comfortable going back because our classes are full and kids don't maintain social distance, but some parents are protesting to go back. It's been kind of ugly.

Jalen has been greatly blessed with fantastic teachers this year. He is in Ms. Moody's fourth grade class and she is perfect for him. This is his third year working with Mrs. Taylor and she has helped him grow a great deal. I don't have a picture of his OG tutor who Ms. Taylor, but she has had a huge impact on his learning. This will be Jalen's last year at Irmo Elementary, which makes us sad, but we are so excited about his opportunity to go to a charter school for students with dyslexia.

Jalen conducted an at-home science experiment related to the different layers of the atmosphere.

Baylie was awarded the 7th grade student of the month. We are proud of how she always shows good citizenship. She's a great girl.

Because of COVID and efforts to not cross-contaminate, students can't come to my classroom this year. Instead, I push in to their classrooms on a cart. It's challenging, but it's okay.

David is at a charter school - East Point Chinese Immersion - where class sizes are smaller. Interestingly enough, his school has had COVID while mine has not. He loves his job and is so much happier than he was at Ridge View. It's good to see him happy at work again.

I think we're all hoping that things will go back to normal soon, but I'm not sure things will ever truly be "normal" again.

Baxter Court

Irmo Elementary has had a large garden space for several years. When I was a stay at home mom, I spent A LOT of time working in the garden and trying to keep it looking nice. It was a big job. Unfortunately, teachers and students were very seldom able to be in the space because there's just not time in the school day. And since I started working, I don't have time to take care of the garden. It has become overgrown and an eye sore. 

The PTA decided to dismantle the garden so the space can be used for PE and recess. I am so grateful for this group of women that have become my support and strength over the past several years. I love that we always pull together to serve our children. They make me a better person. I love with spouses and kids join in on the service.

These boxes are so cool, but they're falling apart. We dismantled them and are going to rebuild them in our backyard. I'm excited about that!

I dug up some of the iris to replant. I had thought of digging up the gardenia that I planted a few years ago, but it is now huge - too huge to move.

My sweet friend April is running for school board. It is a difficult and ugly time for her to be trying to do this, but I hope she wins. We need her voice to combat so much of the ugly out there.

The before and after is pretty amazing.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Savannah River Scenic Byway

On Sunday, I wanted to go on a drive in the new car. I knew it would be a 2-3 hour drive. It ended up being more like six hours. Whoops! We saw some cool places, but it took way too long. Plus, when it comes to scenic byways, the Savannah River Scenic Byway is over-rated, unless the northern part is prettier than the southern part.

Our first stop was McCormick, a historic little town that used to be a big stop on the rail line. We saw the old station and explored a bit.

We were surprised to learn that the station was actually occupied. An interesting man - whose name I don't know - lives in the station and is fixing it up. He builds amazing model building kits that he then donates to veterans and other rehabilitation homes. He was quite a character.

Jalen thought it was amazing.

I was fascinated by the tobacco barn.

The place was filled with antiques.

Roof and loft.

There were beautiful historical homes.

And a huge cotton gin.

The old train station.

Main Street

Outside of town we found this cool church.

Across the street from this cool house. I love old buildings.

David liked this sculpture of fishing boys.

I am also fascinated by bottle trees.

Next stop was Lowndesville. There was an old post office.

And some cool artwork.

Main Street had been mostly deserted.

Just down the road - jail??

We saw a sign for a dam overlook so we took a little detour. It was worth it.

It was a very long day, but we made some fun memories. And we love our Subaru!