School children around the world have first day of school pictures taken at home by parents who may or may not be sending their children back to school this fall. Some are staying home and attending school remotely while others are attending school in person on an abbreviated schedule as part of a cohort. I began my first day of school during the pandemic last week as a substitute teacher at a charter school.
Many retirees work part time as school crossing guards, bus drivers or substitute teachers. I have worked as a sub since retiring from full time teaching in 2015 to pay my taxes. This past March, we received an email that schools were closing and students would participate in remote learning instead. No notice. We were furloughed. My last day was March 4th. My future assigned jobs were cancelled. I was told I could file for unemployment benefits but chose not to since I was receiving a small pension. Others needed the assistance more than I did. I hoped I could get by if I cut my spending, which I did since everything was closed.
September 8th was my first day returning to work since the pandemic closed schools. I looked forward to the return because I missed being in the classroom with young people and, truth be told, I needed the money. Fear of getting sick didn’t enter my mind. When I taught full time and even when I subbed in the past, my daily routine included cleaning my classroom. Flu and other germs were present then and my health and that of my students was always a concern. This day was no different.
So, what is different about working in a school since the pandemic and new CDC guidelines? Greeted by tape on the hallway floors to separate students I also noticed the drinking fountains were taped off so they could not be used. Students could only use the restrooms one at a time during class time. High school students had to wait three minutes for the middle school students to pass through the halls before they left the classroom. Masks were required, of course, but so was the container of disinfectant and wipes outside each classroom. Students took a wipe before entering the classroom to clean their desk top and chair.
Each student was assigned to a Covid group including a virtual group. On my first day, group one included ten students; one student was absent. We also had a “mask free” time where we left the school building and walked around the parking lot while still social distancing. It was kind of like a recess. Back in the classroom, students had to social distance while at their desks.
Other than my glasses fogging up due to wearing glasses with a mask, nothing has really changed about working in a school with one exception. As a substitute I typically walk around the room and observe what students are reading or writing, but on September 8th I sat at the teacher’s desk in order to keep good social distancing.
I survived my first day of school during a pandemic and went back for day two on September 11th. Were you furloughed? Have you returned to work? Please share your story in the comment section below. Stay safe!