Alexandria has announced that the city schools will be all-virtual when school begins next month. It was the last of the local school districts to make that announcement. So the school year, at least to start with, will take place online. I have mixed feelings. Last spring was disastrous for my son trying to completeContinue reading “Learning Curve”
Category Archives: Politics/Government/Current Events
Photo Friday: Great Blue Heron
We’re still mostly stuck at home these days, waiting for the pandemic to run its course. We do try to take a walk outside each day. Tuesday was an odd day. A major tropical storm came through the area in the morning, with a ton of rain. And then, early in the afternoon, the rainContinue reading “Photo Friday: Great Blue Heron”
Photo Friday: Cottage by the Lake
One of the worst parts of the pandemic-induced lockdown is not being able to travel. Of course, there isn’t a hard-and-fast no-travel rule here, but we are encouraged to stay close to home. And besides, travel just doesn’t feel safe right now. But I am desperate to get away. That’s why I was thinking aboutContinue reading “Photo Friday: Cottage by the Lake”
Catching the Comet
You may have read my post a few days ago about a fruitless attempt to see Comet Neowise last Wednesday. We were too close to the city, the sky was too light, and trees were in the way. The next two days were too cloudy. But on Saturday, we headed well away from the WashingtonContinue reading “Catching the Comet”
Chasing the Comet
I heard on Wednesday that it should be a great night for viewing the Comet Neowise, so I suggested to my family that we find a wide open spot without light pollution, with a good view of the northwest horizon. My husband said sure, with one caveat: he didn’t want to travel far. Our viewingContinue reading “Chasing the Comet”
O Say Can You See the Truth About Key?
There is talk of changing our National Anthem because Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to the “Star-Spangled Banner,” was a slave owner, and because the song contains pro-slavery lyrics. My initial reaction was negative: I can’t see that it’s useful to erase the other achievements of anyone who owned slaves. What’s next? GiveContinue reading “O Say Can You See the Truth About Key?”
Distance Learning
There is a lot of talk about what happens to schools this fall, in the face of a virus that is just not letting up. Will they open as usual? Will they stay closed, with students continuing online classes from home? Or will there be some combination of both? Alexandria schools did as well asContinue reading “Distance Learning”
Friday Photo: One More Week
My son graduates high school next week, on June 13. It will be a different kind of high-school graduation, with the graduates at home in their own living rooms watching the ceremony on television and computer screens. But they were asked to submit photos of themselves in caps and gowns, to be displayed as eachContinue reading “Friday Photo: One More Week”
On Homeschooling…
When my son was ready to start school, several people asked me why I wasn’t planning to homeschool him. Why would they make that assumption? Yes, I was a good student. But teaching is about more than knowing things. It is a skilled profession, and I am not trained for it. I suspect my sonContinue reading “On Homeschooling…”
And the Shutdown Continues
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced a phased-in plan for easing pandemic-related restrictions, beginning this week. But we won’t be taking part. Here in Northern Virginia, the number of cases is still rising. We have nearly 1,500 in Alexandria alone. One of the criteria for beginning the reopening process is that the numbers have to haveContinue reading “And the Shutdown Continues”
