Monday, August 31

7:06 a.m. - It appears that 20-21 school day launch is a "go".  Or if I've gotten all cleaned up and have a tie on before 7:30 a.m., I have wasted my time and energy.  Today will be interesting - teaching in a pandemic.  I fear that I'm going to spend more time dealing with COVID-19 procedures and precautions than spending time with students, which is troubling, but it is what it is.

3:47 p.m. - We survived!  We forgot to give the complimentary mask out to first period, and we had a little recording trouble with 2nd and 7th period, but I think those things can be worked out.  We won't really know how well or poorly things are going for a few days when we start to get feedback from students and parents.  I know how chaotic today was for me; I'm guessing that it was all a bit overwhelming for students as well.  They haven't sat in a classroom since last March, so imagine just trying to stay focused until 12:37 was a big challenge.  So how much are we accomplishing?  Well, it's hard to tell, but dealing with COVID is definitely time consuming.

Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (8/31)

• Stats
• February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
• March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
• As of May 29 (3 months), there were 120,260 positive cases and 5,390 deaths.
• As of June 29 (4 months), there were 142, 461 positive cases and 6,902 deaths.
• As of July 31 (5 months), there were 178,837 positive cases and 7,495 deaths.
• As of August 29 (6 months), there were 231,363 positive cases and 8,008 deaths.

• ILLINOIS PREVIOUS DAY
• hospitalizations - 349
• ILLINOIS YESTERDAY
• hospitalizations - 328
• ILLINOIS TODAY
• hospitalizations - 347

• ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
• YESTERDAY - 2,189 positive cases; 54 deaths
• TODAY - 2,212 positive cases; 54 deaths

Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future

• JHSB at Cambridge Wed. 9-2
• JHSB at Merco Thurs. 9-3
• JHSB at Merco Fri. 9-4
• volleyball test - Illinois
• volleyball test - Iowa
• Paint the shed.
• Continue working on restoring the channel of the ditch.
• Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.

Things to do for Ms. Mitola

- by second week of September - Ms. Mitola takes over advanced sections

- by end of September - Ms. Mitola has all sections

- by second week of December, I take over all sections and Ms. Mitola wraps up

Things to do for school

- form Khan Academy groups of students for sections

- update Association records and work on membership stuff

Prayer for My Heart

Holy Spirit...

Help me have... 

    a pure heart, that I may see;
    a humble heart, that I may hear;
    a heart of love, that I may serve;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in the spirit. 

                                                                     Amen