How We're Preparing For Back To School
In our home, spring and summer for the most part came with the quiet release of expectations and plans as we all melted into the quarantine period. Now, as we look toward the reopening of the city and hear the unique plans of our peers and schools for reopening or remote, a sense of scramble has been starting to seep in. This is how we’ve been trying to take it one step at a time.
Via Franklin + Emily featuring their Desk Set, Photographed by Angela Tafoya
New School
Bodie is officially starting a new school in September (!). It was a big decision leaving our beloved preschool downtown a year early when we realized there were openings at one of our top choices of big kid schools ( PK-12 ). We’re so excited for Bodie and the rest of our family to have a new second home in our new neighborhood but it’s one among many changes for our child.
While we were applying, we kept it to ourselves for the most part. When Bodie had to do his quick interview (virtually), we started to tease the idea by saying we were starting to look at big kid schools for after preschool and a teacher from our favorite school wanted to meet him. Once we got in and our decision was finalized, we kept it simple. While there were more reasons, we told him that since we moved and that the subways were not as safe because of the germs, we decided to leave our preschool one year early and start at our new big kid school in our new neighborhood. We talked about friends who go there, why we loved the school (in terms he understood - about play and art) and then specifics about where it is that got him excited. We assured him that we can see his two favorite friends from preschool in the park anytime. So far, so good though we’ll be revisiting ideas from this and this to refresh on separation come September.
Changing Environments
We left the city to find more space out east for the last months. Back to school is also combined with back to city. We’ve started talking with both kids, especially Bodie, about things in the city and our apartment that we’re looking forward to seeing. We’ve timed our return a week before we ease into school so that we can find new routines in our physical space.
Reintroducing The Village
We had the luxury of bringing our nanny/mother’s helper here for the last 3 weeks to start to reintroduce her into our family dynamic. On some days when I had work or personal things to do, I bundled it in the first parrt of the day so she could take over the morning routine with the kids and then I came back around lunch and spent the rest of the day together. For us that helped us keep a level of excitement about a new playmate and carer without feeling like they lost time with us. Every morning, I share the plan of when A is going to play with one or both of them and when I’ll be with them. I let them know what I’ll be working on and where I’ll be and try to stick to whatever time I committed to coming back to them.
The Fun Stuff
Who else remembers getting new pencils and binders from CVS? I loved that energy and I think even at four, Bodie feels it with little new things for school. We got a new backpack, lunchbox, art supplies (for home) and shoes that he’s excited about. I did a Gap Kids and Zara Kids shop so we have some easy basics to have in rotation and I’ll layer in some special pieces from my Fall Dopple drop. Pending how much remote work evolves into our school routines, I’m toying with the Franklin + Emily desk set pictured above.
Family Admin
I made myself a two week checklist that includes well visits, eye appointments, bill payments and little home fixes (i.e. our AC was broken!) so we can lighten the overall mental load for September. I’ve been working through little chunks day by day as we inch to the end of the month. As for school logistics, navigating the phase in schedule, I spent the better part of an hour going through the timeline and putting in the day to day schedule into Dan and I’s shared Google calendar. While tedious, it keeps me from referring back to the email documents to find the plan for any given day or week when we return.
Probably the single boldest, biggest item on this list should be mental prep. I’m pulling into focus that things will take a bit to get into a groove, that bumps are to be expected and that as with all transitions our kids will be alright and so will we.
How are you getting ready for the school year whether you’re homeschool, remote or in person?
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