I'm so torn about school. My kids are missing socialization way more than they missed actual learning last semester, but I'm not at all confident that elementary and middle school aged kids can successfully social distance all day.

...so I'm now another 300 messages behind. Remember when summer vacation for teachers was a thing? I used to have time in the summer to catch up and read everyone's posts in-depth and be a thoughtful respondant. This summer has just been work and stress and more stress. For what it's worth, sj, I think every family has to do what is right for them. It sounds like you are making the best decision for your family, and you shouldn't waste the spoons to feel anxious or guilty about it.

That's easy for me to say, of course, but the fact I've been having nonstop anxiety dreams about disappointing everyone in my life (and the occasional stranger, who pops into my dreams purely to be someone else I have disappointed) speaks to how much easier it is to give advice that it is to take it.

My latest meltdown came last night when I learned that my admin -- due to the radical changes they've made to the schedule overall -- has decided my journalism and yearbook classes don't actually need to be on the schedule as real classes, assuming I can just pull two independent study online courses out of my ass in the next three weeks. They would let the students "work independently with my guidance" Mon-Thurs and leave us only one 75-minute "discussion" period on Fridays. I can't even talk about this more without losing my shit again, so I'm just going to say that I really hope I've misinterpreted that email, but it isn't looking good. I haven't even started revamping my English curriculum (I still teach two sections of my junior English course) to adapt to the new schedule and the fact I'm removing two books and replacing them, and next week is my last week of "vacation" before a weeklong virtual PD starting Aug. 10.

The worst part? The chirpy email from the new US director responding to my concerned, "Um, this wasn't what we talked about and I really don't want that" told me she was sure it would all work out great and "Get some sleep! It's going to be a challenging but wondrous year!"

Reader, I wanted to do violence.

Oh, man, Pix. Yeah, I can see violence being a real attractive response to that

I also wish to do violence in response to that.

Oh, Pix. Some serious smiting must occur.

Good lord, Pix.

Is it possible for you to get in touch with some of the other teachers? My gut says it's unlikely you're the only person they've pulled something like this on.

Are they expecting you to teach other classes and thinking the yearbook/journalism won't count?

I'm irked because I bought a propane fire table thing but thought based on some of the pics that it came with a piece that made it just a table, covering the fire part. Apparently not (and when I go reread the listing it says "cover"....and came with a plastic cover-the-whole-table drape thing). Grrrrr. There doesn't seem to be an option anywhere I can find to purchase one either. Boooooo. Also it's definitely not level but my patio is probably at fault there. Sigh.

Timelies all!

That's ridiculous, Pix.

We're waiting to see how Mr. S's new school is doing things. The person who gave us the tour last weekend thought they would go gradually towards fully open, but she wasn't involved in the decision process. They were supposed to let us know today, but so far no word.

Have you or Tim received any "explanation of benefits" statements online from your insurance company?

Yeah, pretty soon after the surgery, although right now I can't remember what the EOB said our portion is. I just really expected the hospital and/or surgeon to have billed us by now.

If you've got the mental wherewithal to deal with it, I'd pull those statements up, find out if/when the claim was processed, track down the billing department for the hospital and ask where things are in their system. I don't like advocating poking the bear, but potentially dealing with collections would be even less fun.

Whoa, that lego Enterprise is awesome!

I'm checking out the vintage Atari 400 computer that is partially in that shot!