the relief is real
summer beckons… but
before leaving the school year behind
flashbacks scroll across my mind, a photo gallery:
Glowing smiles of grads as they remove masks to pose
Proud families gathered and hugs all around
Prom held outside, beneath a cloudy sky, twinkle lights and magic holding back rain
Green shirts on St. Pat’s with snacks and Zoom bingo
Pink and red valentines, the giggles and blushes of young crushes
A snowball throwing contest, lined up, arms ready, powdery ammo flies far
Trimming classroom trees with handmade décor, wearing gaudy sweaters
A turkey feast done differently, classrooms apart, but still delicious
Halloween costumes with Covid masks
Walking in autumn air, circling the parking lot for much-needed mask breaks
Labor Day weekend, the first respite for exhausted (already!) teachers and students
Practicing new rules, cleaning, taking temps, learning how far apart 6 feet should be
First day jitters amplified by pandemic fears
this challenging school year is over at last
looking back, so proud of everyone
reaching across miles to remote learners, sharing smiles
facing fears, changing plans, tackling new technology
being there for each other through sadness and joy
doing more than we knew we could and looking back…
it was all for the good!
This poem is dedicated to the students, teachers, and staff of Madonna School in Omaha, who made it through the whole 2020-21 school year in-person with a remote learning option. The photo above was taken by Janet at the Madonna School prom, of her daughter with date.
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