August 13, 2020I’M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO REMOTE SCHOOL! Dear Nikki, School is about to start soon, except it’s going to be remote because of the Coronavirus. In all honesty, I’m not really looking forward to remote school. Last spring, when we had to leave school and go remote, it was SO confusing to figure out how to do everything on the computer. Plus it was hard for me to focus on what the teacher was saying. But most of all, I really miss my friends. Please help! Screwy School Scramble Hi Screwy School Scramble, Ugh, I SO know how you feel. I totally miss my BFFs too! My inbox is filled with other kids who feel the same way. We’re all in this together, except WE’RE NOT TOGETHER ☹!! One of the things that has been hard for me is the uncertainty. So I felt a tiny bit of relief when my school district made their decision for the fall. But that relief whooshed away when I thought about what it really meant. Most of all: missing my BFFs! I’m still texting and video chatting with my friends, but seeing them through a screen just isn’t the same! I want to sit together at lunch, hang out in the library and stare into Brandon’s dreamy eyes… What? Oh, sorry. I got distracted for a second! ☺ Back to school – no pun intended! So yeah, it was really confusing in the spring. But I think that was partly because it was so new and sudden. Teachers weren’t prepared for it—in fact, NO ONE was prepared for it! I think the fall will be different, because teachers and administrators have had all summer to think about how to do school online. I think everything will be clearer and easier. We all definitely know how to use Zoom and Google Classroom by now! It’s not ideal. But let’s try to think about some bright sides of remote learning: Wearing PJs to school – or at least PJ pants! I get a sort of weird delight out of doing hair, jewelry and lip gloss and wearing a cute top, then wearing super grungy ripped pajama pants and knowing it’s my little secret. ☺ Fun backgrounds! You could play with the sort of virtual backgrounds that make you look like you’re in front of the Eiffel Tower, or you could set up interesting things in your actual background to show your personality or share inside jokes with friends! Seeing people’s pets! You’ve got to admit, you’ve probably never seen your teacher’s cat walk in front of her face during a regular in-person class session! Also remember it’s not forever. That’s what I keep telling myself. So I hope you’re able to find some bright sides too! Hey readers, what’s the funniest thing you’ve seen happen during a video meeting, class or chat? Tell us in the comments!