observations on the first day of school 2020:
I sent my husband back to school today. I didn’t take a first day of school picture. Had I known I was going to write this blog about his first day I may have. Today is probably his 63rd first day of school so then again, maybe not.
First thing I said to him this morning is that he looked pretty good in khakis and polo shirt. (He’s worn dirty looking blue jeans and free give away t-shirts for the last 5 months!) His response was that it was the first time in over 40 plus years of teaching that he hasn’t worn a tie on the first day of class. Why?…He didn’t feel like it. That sums up 2020 I’d say.
Jeans from the last 5 months.
Second thing I asked-do you have a mask? He had a dorky looking shield on this head when I asked, but he needed a mask as well. I guess I haven’t mentioned that he is a college professor returning to in class classes for the first time since March. Masks are the new tie I’m guessing, so he really didn’t need a tie today anyway.
It’s now purple, because what isn’t purple here, but you get the idea!
20,000 college students have returned to our college town. Hopefully in 4 years they will gain a little knowlegde and some common sense. Right now-many seem to be idiots. The towns bars-packed, fraternities and sororities proceeding with group gatherings as though nothing was going on in the world, football-how many people can we get in that 50,000 person stadium? I just learned as far as the county is concerned-fill it up with 50,000 people. This should make for a fun first day.
Third question-how many classes do you teach today? 9:30, 12:30 and 2:30. The first and last ones are the same class. He can only put 30 some people in a room that holds over 100 so he made it two classes, which still isn’t enough room for all enrolled so they have to come every other day, and on the off day they need to watch it as a zoom class, which the professor has to set up with his computer and the cloud and a video camera that follows him around his class. But if the student has a live class at 8:30 before his and they are on their off day of going to his class they can’t make it home in time to view the zoom class, so they have to watch the recorded version, assuming the professor hit record on the screen so there is a copy of the class that he has to teach twice. Wow, not sure I actually got all that right, but wow. Oh and do all this for less money while you take off your nonpaying furlough days that you can’t work or answer an email or your phone, but be ready to teach 3 ways again tomorrow. Also don’t forget to tell the students to grab a paper towel when they enter the room to wipe off the desks because they may be damp from when the professor in the class before had to spray down the class with disenfectent, thus making the desks and classroom perhaps a little wet. Hope the dispenser doesn’t jam, which is easily done. Not sure what they then do with that paper towel after they wipe down the desk that they had to find as they entered the room with a little sticker on the front of the chair, not the back where they could see it when they entered, no the back, where it will rub off onto their shirt as they sit down in that desk which is spaced 6 feet apart from the next student. Students will be wearing those stickers all day! Also don’t forget to sanitize your hands on the way out the door. It might take a while for the new little machines to work and the backlog of people waiting to get out the door might cause a lack of the 6 foot rule but they are cute little machines.
Question number four-Why am I up this early asking all these questions. I’m not playing golf this morning, which is the only reason I get up early!
Question number five-How was class today? Can’t wait to hear what stories today brings.
I know, I know, I’ve made fun of the university for doing too much to disinfect and social distance the students, and at the same time made fun of the students for ignoring the same social distancing efforts. It’s a unique time we live in. My motto for anything you do, have fun. It’s harder this year, but…maybe I should add-wear a mask, wash your hands, and social distance as much as you can. As for the back to school boy-I’ll let you know if he retires next week.
...observations: 