Transitions

 Seven days. That's how long it took God to create the heavens and the earth. At least that is what I have been told. What I can tell you is that seven days is also the length of time it takes for the Oakland Unified School District to hammer out a contract with the Oakland Education Association.

Twice. 

Four years ago, the teachers went out on strike and set everyone's schedule and lives on end by removing the relative comfort and safety of a normal week of school from the city's calendar. That's seven school days, mind you. There were a couple of weekends in there that left students, parents, teachers and the rest of the city waiting on tenterhooks while discussions raged on about compensation, safety, equity and how to deliver all those kinds of things.

Then it happened again. Somewhere in the wee hours of Monday morning, the word came down that we could all return to work. So wee were the hours that a lot of students, parents and teachers did not get the information until the regular school day was supposed to begin. That is why the district chose to call this "Transition Day." The teachers who were awake at five, like I was, picked up the email and started making plans. Those that were a little slower on the uptake chose to ease back in. 

Parents were given the same message. "Schools will be open, but some teachers may not be on site." 

I was. I was there early and started getting ready for the hordes of screaming children who were anxious to return to their home away from home. I prepared as if there might be a hundred or more of them.

There were nine. They were dropped off primarily by the same parents who had been leaving their kids with us to take them to the solidarity school at the library. We were ready for them. More than ready. Mostly teachers who did show up hung out in their rooms, trying to wrap their heads around the week and a half of missed instruction and the closing of the school year in less than two weeks. We tag-taught the crew that ranged in age from K to Five and gave them a chance to do some reading, writing, and art. They even got an extra turn in Mister Caven's Computer Lab. Recesses were a little longer, kids got to pick their lunch from a menu, limited as it was. Mostly we ran things like we felt comfortable. 

If you've ever done any kind of teaching, you know that transitions are the toughest part. Moving from one subject to another, one room to the next. From work to strike to back again. I looked into the expiration date of the new contract. I believe that will help me decide on a retirement date.