Dear high school senior: You were robbed. It's unfair. You'll get through this

[Pacifist Patriot]

Chris Dier is a high school teacher and Louisiana Teacher of the Year 2020. He missed the end of his senior year when Hurricane Katrina devastated his community. Here's what he has to say to kids who may be missing their end-of-high-school experience because of the coronavirus crisis.

Dear High School Senior,

On Friday afternoon a few seniors came into my classroom after the last bell rang. They were concerned about prom and their senior trip. It broke my teacher heart to listen. As you’re reading this, you most likely have similar concerns.

This is supposed to be your year. The year for your senior prom, sporting events, cheer competitions, senior trips, clubs, and the rest of what senior year has to offer. You were supposed to be the captain of that team, the officer of that club, or that student who wanted to be with their friends one last year before venturing into the unknown. This was THE year that your entire schooling was building up to. But it was robbed from you because of this global pandemic.

Let’s be abundantly clear — you were robbed, and it’s unfair. If you’re upset, then you should embrace those feelings. Commiserate with one another. Some folks will downplay the situation because they won’t know what it feels like to have their senior year stripped at the last moment....

https://www.today.com/parents/dear-high-school-seniors-amid-prom-graduation-cancellations-t176303

I have a freshman in college and a junior in high school and my nephew is a senior. So our circle of friends, neighbors, and acquaintances include a lot of high school seniors. I know it's such a minor thing in the much grander scheme (I am in dread for my dad who would be high unlikely to survive COVID-19 for a variety of reasons), but my heart still breaks for these kids. I thought Mr. Dier's words were lovely and wanted to share them.

[Maeve]

1. Not just seniors--a lot of kids will lose out because of this year

And some may not recover academically or emotionally. Some will suffer nutritionally. And some families really, really should not be locked in a house together for days on end.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. +1000

[gollygee]

3. We've had some tears at my house

about how unfair this is. Prom, activities, etc. It's a real loss.

[genxlib]

4. This is my daughter

She is sad but coping.

My fear is that the Fall will be the beacon of hope that she and all the others look to. If college gets curtailed next year, it's going to be really bad. I don't know how to tell her that she could be relegated to distance learning her entire Freshman year. That would be crushing. At that point, I would almost recommend a gap year except there is no guaranteeing that she could find work.

On top of all that, there is rising pressure to take the cheap/close option in college rather than the more expensive/ideal option away.

My heart breaks for her.

[Bettie]

5. My son and his friends

are all feeling this.

They understand why, but it doesn't take away the fact that they are missing so much.

[samnsara]

6. my grand daughter :(

[treestar]

7. When it's over they can arrange

for the usual festivities I hope - even if it is a year from now. I was thinking of that, and the academics of every student. The states that close for the rest of the year - what of the 9 weeks of instruction? Will they do it online, or just start behind in the next grade?

[Pacifist Patriot]

9. I can tell you what my son's school district is doing.

They are officially closed until April 15, but are preparing for the potential of on-line instruction for the remainder of the year. The kids are already on spring break through next Monday. The break is continuing for students until March 30 at which time online instruction will begin.

Teachers are being given the latitude to choose a distance learning platform that works best for them. They are not being dictated to use a particular program by the school or school system. We have already used an online system for posting of assignments and grades for many years now. So most families are familiar with going online to check their child's progress and communicate with teachers already.

The internet service providers in our community are giving households with school-age (including college students) children free internet access for the next 60 days and waiving installation fees.

The schools are sending out messages to their families instructing those without the necessary technology at home to contact the school. They are attempting to provide laptop computers to households that do not have them. Messages are coming as phone calls, texts, and emails. The communication has been regular and very very good.

Twelve schools throughout the county have been established as meal centers for families that rely on breakfast and free and reduced lunches.

We will have vulnerable families fall through the cracks though. I'm particularly concerned with parents who are not native English speakers, impoverished, and borderline impoverished families. As someone else has pointed out, I'm also worried about children in neglectful and abusive households.

And there are some classes and age groups that lend themselves to distance learning better than others. My junior in high school has three class periods in the music program: jazz band, wind orchestra (band), and symphonic orchestra. Good luck teaching those online.

Cannot imagine early elementary school online.

[treestar]

12. I was surprised to learn

A couple years ago that there was such a thing as an in-line elementary school! So it can be done. And true it would not work for gym or music. Although my niece did singing lesson be FaceTime. I think we will find out just how much can be done without meetings.

[hunter]

8. I would have been overjoyed if my high school experience had ended that way.

My high school experience was horrible, that's why I quit.

High school killed one of my friends.

It might have killed me had I stayed.

Half the people telling you high school is a wonderful place are liars. Maybe they are in denial about their own wretched high school experiences.

Quitting high school was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Fortunately my children had a much better high school experience than I did, but it was still a time of emotional turmoil even though they were straight A students who, so far as I know, didn't have to worry every day that bullies would beat them bloody or otherwise harass them, or counselors who told them all their problems would magically go away if they'd just "be a man."

I was a skinny squeaky highly reactive kid. The only thing I learned in high school was how to be invisible. Whenever I failed to be invisible I was severely punished, and not just by classmates.

The U.S.A. would be a much better place if we looked at the high school experience realistically, and not turn it into some kind of bizarre religion with football players and cheerleaders.

[Buckeyeblue]

10. Highschool years are over rated

As I tell my daughter who is a junior: by the time you are 25 there may be 1 or 2 people from highschool that you'll still connect with. And the number goes down from there.

My highschool years were fine. I played sports, had friends, did well enough in school. But you move on. As you should. No one should have their adolescence trailing them their whole life.

[Nature Man]

11. The economy is collapsing

people are dying

no one said life was fair.

These kids will find they're gonna have bigger fish to fry.

[Turin_C3PO]

13. It's still sad for them.

I feel very badly for these kids. Yes, it must be done, but still. Heartbreaking.

[Jersey Devil]

14. Could be a lot worse

When I graduated from HS you were virtually promised a trip to Viet Nam immediately after graduation.