Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. When students and teachers left Nederland schools on Thursday March 12, 2020, they did not know that they would not be back to school for several days. Because of the health crisis around the world Boulder Valley School District, like so many other districts, has closed its doors temporarily.

We have all felt the confusion, anger, stress and helplessness of the situation. How worried should we be? Financially how do we make it if we can’t work and bring in an income? Parents are faced with figuring out what to do with their children if they have to work outside the home. Numerous family trips over spring break are being cancelled. Teachers are sending home ideas for students to work on during the closure and the district is figuring out how to go to online classes if necessary. We are all in unknown territory. Patience, calmness and some good humor will go a long way in the coming weeks.

On the first day of school closures Nederland Elementary third grader Henry Schliff “protested” the coronavirus by making a sign that read “Love is contagious spread some today.” He and his dad went to the streets of Nederland with their protest. A way to feel a little better about the situation and replacing some fear with empowerment. 

At Nederland Middle Senior High School there are great feelings of disappointment as the annual spring musical has been put on hold. These students have spent weeks preparing and now this. Freshman Maggie Lake says, “All of us are sad and overwhelmed by all that is going on. We are hoping to still have the musical, but we do not know at this point.” If they are allowed to perform the musical Urinetown I think the entire community should show up and support our students.  

All sports, the science fair, Kindergarten Round Up, and all the other planned activities have been put on hold at the schools. No one is allowed in the buildings as we attempt to slow the spread of this virus.

It is strange and disturbing to be forced to change our lives in the ways we are experiencing now. Best-laid plans are out of our control. It is unknown when we can get back to our routines. As with any stressful situation panicking is not a solution. And it certainly does nothing to help our children through the situation. Children are going to be worried. Calmness is important. 

I know in my house not every day is going to be perfectly planned with school lessons and proper exercise. The kids will argue. There will be frustrations about screen time. And the dog will probably wish for some peace and quiet in a few days. 

I am going to take time to make rice crispy treats with my daughter. I will patiently play a game outside with my son, even it is football in a mud filled driveway. My daughter will practice writing new words and my son will get Mom as his geography teacher for a couple weeks. 

Will it all be perfect? No chance. But we will get through this together and, in my ever-present desire for education, we can all learn something positive from this. 

(Originally published in the March 19, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)