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[title]School is in, literally: Over one million NYC students started virtual schooling this week, and just like that your living room was transformed into a classroom. It's not a bad time to hold such a massive experiment in education—the best online courses for kids are terrific, and the New York Public Library now offers free homework help and virtual one-on-one tutoring.
Still, the waters have been a little choppy. Parents and caregivers want to foster these young minds, but we'll gladly stream Paddington, Minons or any one of the best family comedy movies kids love so that we can get some work done. Here are 11 signs you're homeschooling in NYC: The good, the bad and the ridiculous.
1. Tech Support is your new side gig
It doesn't matter what your job might be, you are now running the IT department for your household. That means you're providing tech support for a tiny tyrant who expects results, not excuses.
2. Kids don't care that you're in a video conference
So what if you're talking to your boss on Zoom? Your little scholar wants to tell you about this really cool frog with a crazy air sac and it looks just like a Pokémon and IT CANNOT WAIT.
3. Your kid is going to be better than you at G Suite
Those small fingers might be hunting and pecking right now, but your child is getting an immersive education in online platforms—and that fertile mind is taking it all in. Pretty soon, they'll be showing you some shortcuts that will totally streamline your workflow.
4. Learning is amazing
Schoolwork is so much cooler—and so much more fun—than when you were little. The topics, the ideas, the videos, the game-based instruction! The fact is, you'd much rather learn about a really cool frog than be in that video conference. (See 2, above.)
5. Password-protected sign-ins with class codes are the devil
It seems that every learning platform has a different way to sign in: Only use the class code! Scratch that, ignore the class code and use the student id! Wait, sign in with Google! Or try the class code and the student id, then the class password followed by the school code! (See 1, above.)
6. Educational app soundtracks will drive you crazy
Who decided that educational apps should sound like video games?
7. Educational app tasks are way too short
It would be nice if that assignment lasted longer than, like, three minutes.
8. Backyards sound pretty good right now
Remember when you decided to stay in the city and start a family? And you turned your one-bedroom into an almost-two-bedroom with a living room/dining room/home office/kitchen because of the culture, and the people? And hey, who needs a yard when you have Prospect Park? Yep.
9. Your kid's friends are important
This family time is meaningful, and a welcome change of pace, but kids need to spend time with their friends. This isn't easy on them.
10. How about youth sports?
Yeah, they were sweet. Good memories.
11. Teachers are heroes
Remember that when schools reopen.