Thoughts from the Man Cave

from Lake Norman Currents Magazine

by Lake Norman Currents

A Pet for You

“FUNplugged Fridays”

A Father’s Day letter - our twist on education in a year of COVID

by Mike Savicki | photography courtesy of Mike Savicki

Mike Savicki and daughter Caroline explored zoos, trails, aquariums, state parks and more as part of their virtual school program.

Dear Caroline,

Late last year, when COVID-19 made schools close and we were all sent home to learn differently, I was kind of afraid. As much as I love teaching, and as much as I love spending time with you, I was scared that I wouldn’t do a good job coordinating things. With computers and Zooms and e-learning and so much more every day of the week, I was scared it would all become a great big mess with me as the captain of the sinking ship headed straight to the bottom.

Then we had an idea. We decided to do Fridays differently. We agreed to make the last day of every school week a day for an alternative style of learning. No computers, no phones, no Zooms, no passwords, nothing. We renamed the day “FUNplugged Fridays” and we made it OUR day of adventure—a different way to learn, explore, and grow. room.” At first, we did things near home. We had scavenger hunts in the neighborhood, played chess in the shade, watched houses being built, tracked birds, did hands-on crafts in your outdoor “maker space,” learned more about recycling, and even did a few house projects. Sports were important, too. We built a basketball goal, went fishing, and you learned to ride a bike without training wheels. (I’ll never forget you taking a wrench from the toolbox, unscrewing your training wheels, putting on pedals, and cycling away.)

When quarantine ended, we began making day trips. At first, we started small. A picnic lunch watching boats. Hikes through local parks. We watched water overflow the dam.

Then we got a little bolder. We pulled out a map and found state parks and historical sites within a couple hours’ drive and started checking them off one by one. Kings Mountain. Stone Mountain. Fort Dobbs. Murray’s Mill. The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge. We discovered the Mountain to Sea Trail. When your little kid bike

“Who knows, maybe we all might learn something from what just happened. Maybe education will take a cue and change just a little. “

became a big girl bike, we learned how to mountain bike rail trails in the foothills, along the French Broad River, and even on trails in our own town. And let’s not forget visiting The Carolina Raptor Center, plus an aquarium, and a great big zoo. Can you even believe we developed a shared love of exploring antique shops wherever we went?

Somewhere along the way, the dynamics changed, too. You took the lead in planning, packing lunches, gathering gear, even scheduling the day. You wanted more responsibility. We grew together as a team. I loved watching you become more confident and brave. “Daddy, I’ve got this” became one of your most often and strongly uttered phrases.

Our year of “FUNplugged Fridays” did have some challenges. Not all the trails were smooth and there were times we found ourselves having to climb up some pretty unstable hills. I got stuck every now and then and needed your assistance. When you fell off your bike and cut your elbow that very first time, I was so impressed that you got right back on and kept going. And as for completing all your online schoolwork, well, we weren’t perfect, but we tried our hardest. I must admit that when schools reopened, and it was time for you to go to your second grade classroom I was more sad than relieved. I’m glad you are with your real teachers, but I miss how we spun education during the year of COVID-19. We made lemonade out of lemons, didn’t we?

Who knows, maybe we all might learn something from what just happened. Maybe education will take a cue and change just a little. Maybe we might find a way to keep the lessons of nature and the outdoors in all of our lives, learning more now from what has always been right there, right in front of our eyes.

I loved learning right alongside you this past year, Caroline. I loved sharing your sense of wonder and amazement, and I loved how we built a new classroom away from bricks, structures, electronics, and screens. Most of all, I loved sharing time together no matter where we went or what we did because you are growing fast, kiddo, and you are changing quickly, too. I’m grateful for the opportunity a pandemic gave us and I’m grateful for you.

Happy Father’s Day, Little One. Thanks for being you!

Love,

Daddy