That's a wrap on winter break

[Shop-Teacher]

I desperately needed this break at the end of the semester. I was in a very bad place mentally. I put my email in vacation mode for the first time ever, and vowed not to turn my school computer on for the full two weeks. I did cheat and read a few intriguing emails on my phone, but I didn't reply to any of them and the computer stayed off. I did zero planning/prep work. This may bite me in the ass next week, but I needed the break more.

What I did do is spend a lot of time with my girls, and build lots and lots of Lego. Both with them and by myself. I cherish both. Building Lego sets with my girls is tons of fun. Building them on my own is actually kind of meditative for me. Everything else leaves my head, while I snap together my latest creation.

The girls' break wasn't quite in alignment with mine. They've been back "at" school since Monday. School for me starts with a remote institute day tomorrow. I spent the last couple of days cleaning out and reorganizing my basement work area. It was good to douche it out. Some of the stuff hadn't been touched since we moved into the house a decade ago.

I also paid my favorite indy mechanic a very reasonable sum to replace the EVAP valve on my truck, and do an oil change. It's cold, and my driveway is icy/slushy, so I didn't feel like dealing with it.

I feel recharged. I have to teach remotely Thursday and Friday this week, and then my district is going back to a hybrid model next Monday. My classes will only be 25 minutes long, which sucks. At least I get to build things with kids again. I'm really looking forward to that.

Have a Hammer picture.

[Chariotoflove]

@shop-teacher That’s great. You did need the break.

My girl went back to school today. Full time in person because she didn’t travel over break. If she had, she would have had to do remote for 10 days.

All my classes are still online only.

[BicycleBuck]

@shop-teacher

I went back to the office yesterday. It was hard to go back after two weeks off. I've discovered that there are just some people I really don't want to work with and projects I don't want to work on. I'm hoping that my time with those parts of my job I don't like anymore will be minimal.

My son went back to school today. Although he denies it, he really is more of a social animal than I am. Being around his friends is important to his mental health and being at the school is important to his grades.

My daughter will be heading back to school sometime next week. We just found out that she needs her wisdom teeth removed, so we are trying to get that done before she returns to school. That's an expense I didn't plan for. Thankfully, we have dental insurance to help ease the burden.

It looks like this is going to be a vehicle maintenance weekend. It's time for an oil change on her car, my car, and the truck. I also need new brake pads on my WRX. Those went a lot faster than I expected. I'll be keeping better records this time so I can see exactly how many miles I get out of the next set.

[RallyDarkstrike]

Our case numbers are still pretty low in Nova Scotia compared to you folks in the US, so we've been back in the classroom 'normally' (i.e. with a shit tonne of protocols and social distancing as much as possible, etc) since September. There was a little rise in case numbers just before the break, so the kids / teachers / sub teachers like me go back on the 11th now.

[BicycleBuck]

@rallydarkstrike said in That's a wrap on winter break:

Our case numbers are still pretty low in Nova Scotia compared to you folks in the US, so we've been back in the classroom 'normally' (i.e. with a shit tonne of protocols and social distancing as much as possible, etc) since September. There was a little rise in case numbers just before the break, so the kids / teachers / sub teachers like me go back on the 11th now.

We've been quite surprised that the schools haven't been a hotbed of infection as we once thought they would be. My son says that wearing masks is the new "normal" and the only kids who really resist it are the athletes. They aren't required to wear masks when they are practicing, so they tend to complain when they are asked to wear them in the classroom. Even so, the outbreaks that have happened at my son's school were associated with off-campus social gatherings.

I realize this is anecdotal, but it seems that the same observations hold true in other places too. https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925794511/were-the-risks-of-reopening-schools-exaggerated

[MisterButtercup]

@Shop-Teacher glad you got the needed break and were able to fully unplug! It's hard to completely disconnect, but so rewarding.

[Rusty Vandura]

@shop-teacher @ttyymmnn Thanks for the nice post(s). The "hybrid" model your district does is insane as you've described it. My district will be all remote all year. Still, my union president plays her power politics games and rhetoric and continues to be a sore winner.

I love that photo of the attack cat and your daughter. It's a nice way to start the day.

I'm going to straighten up my workshop on Saturday and then I'll work on finishing the clock and building a proper railroad shed, and a tunnel, for my young friend's Lego train.

[Shop-Teacher]

@rusty-vandura Thankfully the district has allowed us in the short e-blocks to be asynchronous with the students who are at home. It still sucks, but there is nothing I can do about it.

"Sore winner" is a great expression. My union and the support staff's union have both filed unfair labor practice charges against the district.

Make sure you post the train tunnel! I want to see the results. I encourage you to take the plunge on that sliding miter saw. You'll get so much use out of it!

LOL, the attack cat

[RallyDarkstrike]

@bicyclebuck I wouldn't necessarily say they are exaggerated, but they have a whole slew of protocols in place here. For example, any staff who are showing any symptoms whatsoever of covid are required to go off on leave, get a test and then can't come back till it proves negative. Any kids who are showing any symptoms have to go home immediately and can't come back till they're tested, etc...

There have been some schools in Halifax which is an hour for me that were closed due to covid cases that spread, but I'm in my area we've been lucky!

[Rusty Vandura]

@shop-teacher Good Morning. There is no way I would not make a post about my new construction for the Curtis Railroad! Rest assured.

As for the saw, I'll definitely buy one, but my shop is currently a shambles. I am planning on spending Saturday straightening it up. The portable spindle sander did arrive though, which I'll need for Number 1 above...

I'll make the tunnel first, then work on the shed. As I type this, the plan becomes way more elaborate in my head. Will definitely be deluxe accommodations!

[BicycleBuck]

@rallydarkstrike said in That's a wrap on winter break:

@bicyclebuck I wouldn't necessarily say they are exaggerated, but they have a whole slew of protocols in place here. For example, any staff who are showing any symptoms whatsoever of covid are required to go off on leave, get a test and then can't come back till it proves negative. Any kids who are showing any symptoms have to go home immediately and can't come back till they're tested, etc...

There have been some schools in Halifax which is an hour for me that were closed due to covid cases that spread, but I'm in my area we've been lucky!

It will be interesting to see what history has to say about this period, especially when the academics really start looking at the statistics - provided they can ever get clear data.

I think that the reason the schools haven't been as risky a place to be as we originally thought they might be is because of the protocol and extra precautions put in place to keep everyone safe. Not all schools districts have been as thorough. One of the local districts is currently shut down due to COVID cases in their area. Meanwhile, the other districts in the area are doing fine.

[Shop-Teacher]

@bicyclebuck said in That's a wrap on winter break:

Not all schools districts have been as thorough.

This is my area of concern. I'm happy to go back, but I cannot say I have an abundant amount of confidence in the protocols that have been implemented.