So Illinois officially cancelled school for the rest of the year. It's sad to think I won't be going back until (hopefully) August and probably won't see my students in person until they're fifth-graders. There are certain aspects of online learning that I enjoy - mainly the fact that I can stay in my pajamas and drink coffee, eat breakfast, and use the bathroom whenever I want to - but otherwise it's all the worst parts of teaching, like planning and constantly communicating with parents, without any of the fun parts.
These kids are missing out on so many fun experiences that happen near the end of the school year that just can't be replicated virtually, and that makes me sad. At least mine will have two more years at our school, so unless they move over the summer, we'll see each other again next year. But I feel for the kids who are graduating or moving on to another school next year and may not see their teachers or classmates again.