This post (and future posts) will definitely be something we reflect on for years to come. We are currently in a "social distancing" situation as the Coronavirus begins to spread throughout the United States. This virus originated in China several months ago and is highly contagious and can be deadly to certain people. It has been labeled as a pandemic and has crippled many countries across the world. The US is being overly cautious (which is fine with us!) and has shut down schools, colleges, and non-essential businesses for at least 2 weeks in many of the states, including Pennsylvania.
It is a scary time as nobody truly knows what the outcome will be. The Rocc Flock is taking this all very seriously and have been staying quite close to home and washing our hands like crazy. This past week we tried to implement "Mommy and Daddy School" and it was quite fun for the most part. We are looking forward to having more time together....but hoping we're all able to return back to school in the very near future and that all of our loved ones stay healthy.
I do have a lot of anxiety and Friday was my hardest day. I am a planner and not knowing the outcome is very hard on me. My heart is breaking for all of my students at Nazareth, especially the seniors. I am worried about so many different groups of people but I'm extremely nervous about my dad. I am torn on whether we should go up there or bring him down here. It's very hard for me to take a "wait and see" approach. However, making a daily list about things that I need to focus on right now has been helping.
I'm hoping this experience will give everyone the opportunity to reflect on things in our society. I especially hope our state representatives will begin to focus on issues with our education system that have become very apparent through this health emergency. Schools have once again come to the rescue by ensuring children are being fed breakfast and lunch during the school week. This is an amazing thing and something I'm very thankful for -- but why is that something that needed to be organized so quickly? Why are there so many hungry children in our state?
Thankfully the PSSA's have been canceled for the school year. Why can't these tests be canceled indefinitely? I hope the Pennsylvania Department of Education realizes how big of a waste of time, energy and resources these state mandated tests are and if they were to be eliminated, classroom teachers would get back their ability to design much of their own curriculum and give our children the education they deserve. And for goodness sake -- BRING BACK MORE RECESS FOR THESE CHILDREN!!!!
Other pet peeves of mine that I've had more time to stew over....Why do people feel it's ok to roll their car window down and throw out garbage rather than simply putting it in the recycling bin as soon as he or she gets home? Where has the respect gone for our environment? For each other? Why are people blatantly ignoring the guidance from the CDC in regards to social distancing by still going to bars, beaches and social gatherings? Why does the media have the power to put us all into such hysterics that people have been running out and buying all of the toilet paper they can fine? Really? Toilet paper??! Perhaps this is the time to focus on all of these things in our society and perhaps begin to think outside the box....what could be done with our future if people began to see the bigger picture and get creative on fixing the issues?
Anyway.....let's move onto the fun stuff.
Let's back it up a bit before the shutdown went into full force....
We just finished up a week of dog sitting for our good friends, the Quells!
Bedtime candies are a MUST right now!
During one of our last days of school before the shutdown, Liberty Bell Supports You did a garbage pick-up around the elementary school. In true Rocc Flock fashion, we brought home some treasures!
Allie saved this playground ball - and gave it a very good scrubbing the next day!
Cam and his buddies worked HARD to dig this thing out of the ground where I'm sure it's been for several months if not years! He also cleaned this up and now it's a great thing to use around the yard!
The children's teachers continue to be amazing. Technology is truly a blessing as we navigate this new way of life. I love this post from Allie.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous for the beginning of March and we have been outside a ton. All of the kitties are slowly becoming outside cats as well -- and Rhys has become a snake hunter. Cameron in turn has become a rescuer of snakes!
"Mommy! Rhys has another snake!"
Cameron to the rescue!
Depositing the snake far, FAR away from Mommy!
We plan to watch a lot of movies together. Swiss Family Robison was a favorite the other night!
Lots of playing with our toys that we usually have zero time for.
I am getting back into running. Perhaps I'll do a race again...if we're ever allowed to do them again!
We plan to spring clean the entire house! One room done!
The twins created this awesome "Stuffy Train".
Miss Helene snuck in Allie's art show at the last possible moment.
We snuck in a "social distancing" St. Patrick's Day party for our 100% Irish grandmother!
As mentioned, Michael and I are attempting to homeschool the children. We told the twins they are SO lucky to have two parents who are teachers. We are able to be home with our children, don't have to worry about finding childcare, and have the knowledge and experience of being a music and phys ed teacher. We are all enjoying our homeschooling adventure together....but definitely miss our own schools, teachers and friends. Michael is especially missing sports on TV -- especially March Madness. :(
Our classroom! The twins enjoyed setting this up. Allie even made a flag so we can say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning.
Our loose schedule -- this lasted until about Wednesday and then the wheels fell off!
We wrote letters for the Medal of Honor Mail Call Program.
I think in another life, I really would have enjoyed being an elementary classroom teacher. It is a TOUGH job and I appreciate all of you teachers even more now!
Coach Rocchi led Allie in her gym class for the day!
Now please don't worry -- we don't do school all day long. We try to squeeze it all in before lunch and then do other things after lunch.
Michael is our master putter together of puzzles.
The Catio is up and running - the kitties are loving having us home all day long.
Allie's teacher did a Zoom session each morning this past week where she read two chapters from a book each day. She is an AMAZING teacher and it made me emotional each and every morning because once again, teachers are thinking outside the box and supporting their students (and parents!!) by trying to bring something a little normal back into our lives.
Miles enjoyed saying hello to the class!
Allie's teacher hosted a Show and Tell session on Friday. Allie had the chance to show her classmates our pet bunny, Fluffy. He was quite the hit!
Miss Boyer (aka Aunt Biz) also made a guest appearance to do some guided reading and math work.
Zoom Happy Hour with our neighbors was super fun.
The twins have been using many of the online resources our school district supplies. Thankful for these opportunities.
We have become Pen Pals with our friends, the Pitcavages. We received our first letter earlier in the week and the twins quickly wrote a reply. I LOVE THIS AND LOVE THE PITCAVAGES!
I've decided to write some letters as well...this one is to Mrs. Dibble, my beloved piano teacher from high school.
Allie's letter to Miss Lucy - Mike and I think this is just about perfect. :)
A skill many kiddos might not know how to do -- address an envelope!
I have to stay busy...so crafting has been a big part of our week!
Coronavirus Wreath!
Michael gave the twins a wonderful writing prompt for them to do in their new journals. He asked them to write anything they wanted about spring (since we did have the first day of spring this week!). They disappeared into their rooms for about 20 minutes and emerged with these journal entries. So lovely!
:) He's a pretty awesome daddy and husband. And look at those legs!
Southern Lehigh parents shared this Shamrock on Facebook asking kiddos to color them and hang them in their windows. Families would then be able to walk or drive around to look for these hanging in different houses. Fun idea!
Mr. Rocchi has been in charge of the science lessons. They made a habitat for cacti! Thanks to Lisa for the seeds she brought home from Arizona.
As mentioned, the cats are loving having us home all day long.
First tree Miles has ever climbed!
Rhys had a run-in with our neighbor's dog! Have you ever seen a cat climb down a tree? Click on the next video to check this out!
And now.....THE FORT!
We have a nice patch of woods in our backyard and the twins have been talking about wanting a treehouse. Today we decided to at least make a fort....I'll let the pictures show our progress!
I knew when Mike Rocchi (also known as McGyver) was helping, it was going to end up being pretty awesome.
Breaking ground!
Clearing the ground.
Collecting rocks for the floor.
Progress...
Simon checking things out.
Allie - safety first.
Yes, we let Cameron yield a hatchet.
Almost done!
Still some finishing touches - Cameron wants me to do some wood burning on this sign.
Newly added table.
Seriously...how amazing is this?!?!?! I would have loved to have this as a kid. My forts usually contained a small lean-to and some rocks. They are going to have SO much fun with this!
I've been working with my Concert Choir president, Josh, on collecting videos people have made and sent to us to ultimately place them on a DVD. Another group of people I'm so concerned over are the residents in the nursing homes. My choirs visit a few in Nazareth on a pretty regular basis and it breaks my heart to think about them not being able to have any type of visitors or entertainment. I am VERY appreciative of everyone who sent us videos.....from kiddos playing, to reading poetry, to playing instruments and singing.....it's been pretty remarkable.
Here are a few of our video entries for the residents!
So.....yes things are hard right now and my anxiety is pretty high. But Mike and I have lived through a lot of hard times together....in the words of my father, "Keep in the fight."
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