Frustrated in 2020

Online school is a series of exercises in frustration. I feel like I can’t complain anywhere but here - every time I say something people are like, “We have to support the teachers!” and “The system was bound to have some issues, they’re doing the best they can!” And I get that, I really do. I don’t blame the teachers, they didn’t design this stupid system - but it’s frustrating to see my kids experiencing all these technology problems and not understanding what is being asked or expected of them. My kids are good students, they want to do the right thing, but with these recurring outages and messages from teachers coming on so many different platforms, it’s just…frustrating.

I think it doesn’t help that we did the online school two years ago, so we know how smoothly it can work when it’s implemented correctly. As a parent, that system was SO much easier to navigate - I could log onto one place and see all their assignments, grades, teacher contact info, etc. in one place. The kids knew when and where to log in, what was expected of them in class, and what assignments or quizzes were due when. This new system the county has cobbled together is not nearly that efficient.

I am glad that they are just in 8th and 9th grade this year. If they were in their last two years of high school, a disruption like this could really affect their future.

I’m not saying the other options are better. Nearly all the districts around us who opted for in-person learning have had to shut down multiple schools due to COVID outbreaks. It’s like we really, truly can’t win.

In summation, 2020 can go fuck itself. I just can’t with all this nonsense.

(It doesn’t help that yesterday was a crazy day at work, and then I couldn’t sleep last night. I hate my stupid brain too.)