back to school (2020 edition)

T’was the night before school starting
In the year two thousand twenty one
And just like 2020
COVID-19 may steal the fun

Cohort A, B, C, or D?
Class once this week and four days next
Single file, far apart
Can I be honest? I'm perplexed!

The little one's don't realize
That a desk will be their best friend
Six feet away from their peers
From day one until the end

Classes emptied with arrows
No familiars for kids to see
Will these strict rules be enough?
We know that there's no guarantee

Daily temperature readings
Has your child left the country?
A lengthy checklist exists
And honesty each day is key

Along with their school supplies
Are both hand sanitizers and masks
"Miss, can I take this thing off?"
The same question’s bound to be asked

No after school sports
Gone are fun events through the year
Extra curricular's gone
Until this darn virus has cleared

Mental health, so important
Handwashing is vital too
When is it that teachers teach?
Perhaps they're wondering that too

Nothing's allowed to be shared
No pencils and surely no hugs
"Please do not touch that, Sweetie!"
(Hoarding her "World's Best Teacher" mug)

Kids will be kids as they say
And touching stuff is what they do
How does one police fingers
With merely a few simple cues?

We'll be thinking of teachers
And all the students too, of course
This year presents challenges
And some strategies hard to endorse

Custodians, Bus Drivers,
Receptionists, and Volunteers
Coming together, separately
Battling individual fears

But, as with anything life throws
We will all surely make it through
Because leading by example
Is what adults are made to do

So as parents we should be
As understanding as we can
To both teachers and students
And let's be patient with the plan

A potential saving grace
Is that kids somehow find a way
To make us laugh when things are tough
Brightening up our darkest days

Togetherness and learning
And being as safe as we can be
Are the only rules this year
I hope for once we all agree