Everyone tells me that this year has been unique. Well, you can say that again. Everyone in the world had to wear masks, stay at home, and all of us students had to learn from home too! I was hoping when first grade started that I would be able to go back into school with my friends and my new teacher Ms. Winegar. However, that was not the case.

We all started the school year online with new Chromebooks. At first, it was fun, but it was soooo hard to sit still all day! Ms. Winegar tried her best to keep us up and moving. She had brain breaks and even GoNoodle! We all just wanted to head back to school though.  

After months of virtual learning, what seemed like forever, my parents finally found out that we could go back to school! My friends and I were so excited!

I can't wait to go back to our school to go to recess!

Yay! My mom already said I can go back!

I hope my parents let me....

I begged my parents to let me go back to school, but no matter what they explained it wasn't safe enough yet.

Honey you can go back to school in the fall.

But all of my friends will be back!

On March 15th my friends got to go back to school. I was very sad and very lonely. I even cried a little when I saw all of my friends together in the classroom with Ms. Winegar.

Now it was even harder to focus on my school work. It was harder to hear my friends talking when they were at school and all of my friends got to dance together to the GoNoodles in-person. I felt left out. 

"How was your day?" my parents asked. I told them it was not as fun as learning with my friends and how frustrating it is to be home while they are all back together.

My parents told me to talk to my teacher and to let her know how I was feeling.

The next day during our morning share time, I told Ms. Winegar how I was feeling and that I wish I could be back at school with all of my friends.

Ms. Winegar thanked me for sharing my feelings. She told me some of my other friends were feeling the same way and that I was not alone.  

The very next day, Ms. Winegar surprised the entire class with a lunch bunch and show and tell day. I was so excited! Hanging out with my class made me feel like I wasn't alone anymore. I felt happy!

The other virtual learners and I felt like we were in the classroom with our friends who were in school.