Back to School - Online
The district first announced that school would be IN PERSON at the start of the school year: August 17th. Then they switched it to a HYBRID schedule - two days in person and 3 days online - starting a week later: August 24th. Then they revised it to start ONLINE (synchronous learning) for the first three weeks. Fingers crossed that we can go back to a HYBRID schedule on September 14th but for now we are embracing the online version of BACK TO SCHOOL.
Matthew - Sixth Grade
This isn’t the way I wished for my youngest kid’s first day of Middle School to go… but it actually turned out pretty great. Matt made himself comfortable in the office with his school issued laptop and settled in for online classes from 8:00 - 3:00 with plenty of breaks in between. He loved all his teachers and is thrilled with his two assigned exploratory classes: Spanish and Music Appreciation. It’s going to be a good year.
Matt’s Schedule
8:00 - 8:20 Advisory
8:25 - 9:25 Core 1: Science
9:35 - 10:35 Core 2: Language Arts
10:35 - 11:10 LUNCH
11:10 - 12:10 Core 3: Social Studies
12:20 - 1:20 Core 4: Math
1:25 - 2:10 Exploratory: Music
2:15-3:00 Exploratory: Spanish
Luke - Seventh Grade
Luke’s Schedule
8:00 - 8:20 Advisory
8:25 - 9:25 Core 1: Science
9:35 - 10:35 Core 2: Language Arts
10:45 - 11:30 Exploratory: Art
11:35 - 12:20 Exploratory: Chinese
12:20 - 12:50 LUNCH
12:55 - 1:55 Core 3: Social Studies
2:05-3:00 Core 4: Math
For online school Luke is taking over Ryan’s room downstairs because of the big desk. He had a great first day and was able to navigate the schedule and technology without too many bumps. He’s most excited about his Science class but says he likes them all. Except maybe Art — which at this point is his least favorite and not at all what he choose for 7th Grade Exploratories which was Woodworking/Metal Working, PE, MovNat PE and Choir.
Megan - Sophomore Year
Blue Days: Seminary (with Emily), Weights, French 3, and World History
Green Days: Study Hall, Environmental Science, Geometry and Honors Lit
Like all the kids, Megan is synchronous learning from her school iPad at her bedroom desk. Synchronous learning means that the kids hop on to their online class at the same time that they would if they were going from class to class at school. So they start their first class at 7:45… go through four classes and a break for lunch and finish at 2:45. The only exception for Megan is that she doesn’t have to log onto Study hall. Free period! She’s excited about World History, staying cozy in her room and the frequent snack breaks but she is definitely excited to return to in-person learning as soon as possible!
High school soccer season is pushed back to the end of April - the end of June. Crossing our fingers that we will at least have a season and maybe skip some of the normal winter/spring girl’s soccer weather.
This girl is an absolute joy. It’s going to be a good year.
Emily - Senior Year
This year Emily is taking Seminary (with Megan), Senior Lit, AP Stats, AP Psych, Weights, a free period and two choir classes: the highest level mixed choir and an audition-only small girls A Capella choir — which are both rather difficult to do online.
Not quite the start to Senior year that we would have liked but she’s determined to enjoy it to the fullest and hopes that everything is back to normal by the end of the year for Pops Concert, Prom, Graduation and a Senior Trip.
Emily is excited about AP Psych and having a free period. She’s organized, talented, independent and the only one who can truly tease her Dad and get away with it.
Back to School Questionnaires and Oatmeal Cookies
Back to School cookies and questionnaires finally occurred on Friday so we used it to celebrate the completion of our first week. This year is SO different but it’s fun to see what the kids are excited about.
Ryan - Junior at BYU
Ryan’s first day of school was Monday, August 31st. He has a full load of Engineering classes: Intro to Embedded Programming, Electronic Circuit Design, Signals and Systems, Junior Seminar and Foundations of the Restoration.
On top of that he’ll work 20 hours a week continuing his internship with the Engineering Department, which has already been a great experience.
In his spare time, he’ll work on his calling as Ward Clerk, make popcorn for ongoing movie nights, play intramural sports, plan parties and hang out with the best roommates and friends. We were so lucky to have Ryan home with us for our Covid Summer but are excited for him to be back where he belongs. He’s going to have a great year!