‘They are smiling behind their masks’

What's new in the classroom?
Let's find out by reading what our Blooming Prairie Elementary School teachers have to say about returning to the classroom after being away from students for more than six months.
Most of the teachers, kindergarten through sixth grade, are ecstatic and joyful about being able to be in the classroom with their students.
Let's read what they said about that first day last week, on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Teachers Share Thoughts
Emily Voss, Kindergarten: Even though this year brings a lot of changes and new routines for Kindergarten students, it is such a joy to be back in the classroom. 
Typically when students walk in the room their smile lights up the classroom. Now, I didn’t get to see their smiling faces but I know they are smiling behind their mask.  
In the morning, we utilize the video conferencing tool Zoom to connect with our distance learners and create a classroom community. Each student is so excited to be at school and has been working extremely hard to follow the new routines. 
Some of the new routines we are teaching in the classroom consist of using hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the classroom, scheduled bathroom and mask breaks, and working in groups of three.
This year brings many challenges with COVID but working with awesome students, staff, parents, and community members has helped the transition back to school be successful.
Heather Schiller, First Grade: I am very thankful to start the year with my students in our classroom. I am excited to get to know each child in person, see their excitement for learning and school, and hopefully ease any anxiety or fear they may have about school.  
Having the opportunity to be back in the classroom with my students has been WONDERFUL!!
Diane Pfieffer, Second Grade: I am so glad to be back in the classroom with students in person to teach.  It is so much easier to answer questions, assist students, and assign work when everyone is together. 
The students were happy to be back at school. I had several tell me they would sleep at school if they could. Teachers also enjoyed being back at school in person with students. The laughter and chatter once missing in the hallways is now joyous music to your ears.
I had to take out some flexible seating and rearrange how the room looked to prepare for students, but totally worth it when those little bodies with smiling faces under masks came into the room. 
This has been one of the most memorable starts to the year with all the COVID-19 guidelines in my 30 years of teaching. I am looking forward to the day we can walk into school with our masks staying at home and our smiles shining brightly on our faces.
Alli Schmidt, Third Grade: It is a really different start to the year, but it has been amazing. The students are great and adjusting well.
We keep reminding ourselves that this year might look a little different, but everything we do is to make sure we keep everyone safe and healthy. The students are so excited to be back in the classroom with their peers and teachers, and we’re so glad to have them back!
Kayleena Miller, Fourth Grade: In my 16 years of teaching, I have never been so excited to see students walking down the hall and into my classroom.
As my students found their desks, there was a huge smile displayed behind my mask while my eyes twinkled with happiness.
Kayla Harvey, Fifth Grade: There has been a feeling of excitement this week being back in the school building among familiar faces.
Students who are distance learning are connecting with teachers and peers again as well, and there has been a lot of smiles.
I asked my fifth grade students how they would describe the first week of school and the general consensus was, “Awesome!”
Matt Kittelson, Sixth Grade: For the first time in quite a while there was a resemblance of normalcy in life as it relates to school.
Even with all the masks, the changes with distancing, and some hiccups as everyone got used to new routines, there was a familiar energy that filled the building. 
It was a very welcome sight to see all of them fill up the hallways and classrooms again.