I've seen the headlines, the Tweets, the comparisons to other societies managing to cobble together some image of normality. Do I want normality to return? Most definitely, I miss my class, I miss my son telling me about what he got up to at his school with his friends, I miss the staff room chats, I miss the routine. In fact, I miss most things that were once normal (family and friends definitely at the centre of all that is missed).
When I think of June 1st and the fact my year 1 boy and I should be heading back to normality this should, in theory, fill me with a sense of relief. It doesn't, it makes every cell in my body fill with dread and worry. I'm not even going to discuss the fears I have for my 18 month old returning to his childcare.
I can sit here and tell you it's not safe, that a classroom's dimensions would never allow half a class to be 2m apart in all directions at all times. I could sit here and say that even with the best timetables in place that your child will still forget themselves on occasions and crave that physical interaction with their pals or get too close, by accident. I could sit here and give you all the data and statistics linked to deaths and vulnerable groups and explain to you that this virus is taking young and old, fit and healthy alongside the weak and ill. I could but I won't because you know, you've seen, you've heard so in your hearts you know the truth.
I write today as a parent and teacher and although I want to feel the sense of normality again and I can't wait to see my class again, especially as half are year 6, so will be leaving me and our school forever that I implore you to back this countrys' teachers. Can children be educated in the way being outlined by government? Possibly and teachers will adapt the way they do things to meet these requirements and the children's needs ( this is what we do, expertly some may say) but is it what should happen? No, it isn't. You see, although normality is needed this won't be what our children experience. It will be so far removed from this that it could have even more of a detrimental effect on mental health. School is supposed to be a safe haven, but it won't be for anyone that enters. If children don't feel safe and secure they can't learn. It is impossible to feel threatened by something, remain alert (as instructed) and think of much else other than the imagined threat.
So, although I crave normality, I am willing to wait for a new normal that ensures safety for everyone that enters schools: our teachers, support staff, admin, school leaders and most importantly our children deserve nothing less! So, let's continue to embrace learning remotely and ensure that safety for everyone is found so that our safe havens can open fully once more and be full of children's chatter, laughter, music and learning, safely.