This week our school district started its 2021-2022 school year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We are currently experiencing a surge of infections of the virus due to the Delta variant and a low number of people being vaccinated. Things are worse now than they were when we started school remotely last year. I am vaccinated so I feel somewhat protected; probably more so than I imagine. However, having been vaccinated back in late March, learning that the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases over time, and hearing from the CDC that we will need booster shots later in the year; to say that I am a little anxious beginning the school year "in-person" with a population of children (due to their age) that are not yet approved to be vaccinated is a bit of an understatement.

That all said it has brought me great joy preparing my classroom, writing lesson plans, and meeting my families this past week. I want to be in the classroom with my students...I just want all of us to be safe.

The remainder of this post is going to touch upon highlights of the first few days of "in-person" learning.

Day 1 Impressions...so...my impressions of day 1...I had 20 out of 23 students come to class...they are adorable...they were so happy to be back in a classroom around their peers...we worked on establishing rules and procedures...played some cool "getting to know you games"...did some poetry writing...did a quick write and shared that writing...thought about fixed and growth mindsets in mathematics...and got to work with a partner to try to solve a math problem called "Four 4s." I didn't get to 1/2 of what I planned for which is typical for me. Most importantly...I made sure that everyone got home safely.

Day 2 Impressions...my take away from the second day of school...less is more! When I got to school this morning, I looked through my plans for the day. I told myself that if I got to "these things" it would be a good day. I did get to each of the things I wanted to but did not get to everything in the plans and that is ok. My principal came to the room to pick up something. When I told her what we were doing she smiled and said, "Have fun."

We did go to school 3 days this week but I wanted to publish something before the weekend so I've chosen not to share my impressions of Day 3. Suffice it to say, I am exhausted by all that's transpired. I am also very happy with what I've accomplished with my new class. I remain hopeful that this is going to be a great school year and will post here, to the Teacherly Things page, when I have something to say!