SpecialEd

You certainly sound mean. And sick and tired of the invisible plague we are all facing, as am I. I wish we could just open up the schools and everything else, but science tells us that this would be ill-advised, at least for now. Pray for a vaccine, and stay safe--and calm.

Jim, I thought you were kidding me a few weeks ago about having worked at a school. Were you Elyria schools' tech guy?

(Could no longer edit previous post) The pressure to complete individual assignments has been reduced; students can now complete packets of small assignments or projects "in bulk", then submit physically or online. We are using pass/fail at this point, and, at least where I work, final grades are not being computed. Parents are being offered the option to have sons/daughters repeat the grade/course they were in when the shit hit the fan on March 13th. My kids were working on a senior project when school was cancelled. All they have to do is finish/submit it and I will grade it P/F. At this point, all I'm doing is reading and editing their projects. There are obviously a lot more moving parts to all of this, but my original intent was simply to answer Motocat's question--not deal with the rest of it.

This is all true, of course. There is socioeconomic inequality, and this has dire consequences for many students--and families--in addition to compromising a student's ability to work from home. Our district is considered "wealthy" by many, yet we have more than our share of homes without internet. Mostly, this problem is dealt with using printed worksheets/assignments which must be distributed/mailed back to individual teachers or physically dropped off at the central office. It's not a perfect system by any stretch, but in most cases there is sufficient evidence from formative and summative assessments that learning is still taking place. Some internet carriers are providing free internet access through localized hot spots. I honestly don't know exactly how this works.

That's the hard part of all this for the schools--and for the parents. I truly believe that we will be staying with distance-learning this coming first quarter of fall instruction. It's not going badly at all so far, but all my students are seniors, and the vast majority of them are college-bound. For the working parents of younger students, there are many latchkey programs through day care centers (once they reopen), but this is an added expense. The idea of attending school two days per week fixes the social distancing problem as far as classrooms go. That's the primary reason for having them physically at the school only two days per week. Having all the kids attend each day is a recipe for horrible community spread of the virus, as there is no way to adequately distance students from eachother.

Media hype neither makes the pandemic better or worse, but it does change how many of us feel about going through it. It always amazes me how much better I feel not accessing the media for a few days. The situation "is what it is"--nothing more, nothing less. If something dire happens or if there are medical breakthroughs, someone--a neighbor or friend--will likely tell us about it. I'm very glad I am at the point where I don't have to have a job any longer, and if the shit hits the fan, I'll just retire instead of risking becoming infected on the job.

Durk, wondering what the school year will be like if we go back this fall. What have you heard?

Mr. Bastard, did you move into yer new house yet?

The word "insensate" in the context of this meme, however, is totally incorrect.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racoon Like many words in the English language, there are less common (but still "correct") spellings that are considered acceptable.

This is great! Also an effective way to avoid becoming involved in fistfights with angry drunks.

Was it a motorized chair? Ha. Ha.

That should be that for the garage part of the problem.

I agree with Tpoppa. It's is your property. You make the rules. If they continue to trespass, time to take legal action. Also, I would fully document everything in writing, and include photos when applicable. Be nice and calm in your interactions.

Great science-based example. I wear pants sometimes, and I get it.

Nivin, I regret not having met you. Where are you off to?

(OR members are encouraged to continue the court room narrative--I don't want to write all of it. Show your creativity.)

The jury is in place. In muted tones, Jim reviews last-minute details of the case with Brian, and together they discuss strategies for presenting their opening argument. To the right of the judge's bench, the Cortec Sequoia XC, size 2XL, lies neatly folded on a low table, and is tagged as evidence. A hush falls over the court room as her honor Judge Jenn Snot strides confidently to the bench, seemingly oblivious to the sudden entry of a small knot of solemn Ohio Riders members who have gathered in support of Brian. Spectators react in what can only be described as poorly subdued fear. There are nervous glances directed toward the OR contingent and loudly whispered outrage can be heard sporadically throughout the gallery. Three men and a woman abruptly rise and leave the court room, occasionally looking over their shoulders as they make their way toward the exits. The defendant, dressed in a pair of rumpled Dockers and a dress shirt that was once white, casts a bleary, side-eyed glance at the plaintiff and his council. It is immediately apparent that he has chosen to represent himself, as he sits alone with several pieces of stained and folded documents at his right elbow. Snot bangs the gavel and calls for order. The trial begins . . .

Brian, I am mystified as to why you would continue to ride with a guy who screwed you over.

Over the years, I discovered that alcohol consumption vastly improves my writing. Eager to see here if the same is true for you.

You are way more casual and forgiving about this than I would have been. Does he still owe you money, or did something else besides money screw things up?

*Mental image* Thanks, Paul, for ruining my evening. We are decidedly headed downward.

My pappy always told me, "I know you love yer sister, but DON'T fuck her. Just don't."

Dood, you are on FIYAH today