Sault family makes the most of lockdown, counts its blessings

Working and learning from home during the COVID-19 lockdowns, including the current stay at home order, has been a challenge for all families.

Parents must perform their jobs from home while their children learn remotely, vying for computer time and spending much of their after work, after school lives indoors.

That can be tough.

But Sault Ste. Marie’s Zagordo family - father Rob, mother Heidi (both St. Mary’s College teachers), daughters Gracee (a Grade 11 St. Mary’s College student) and Gabbe (a University of Windsor student, studying remotely from home in the Sault) - have adapted well to the pros and cons of it all.

“We miss people and socializing. Rob misses playing pick up hockey, golf and coaching football at St. Mary’s College,” Heidi told SooToday.

“It poses challenges because there are no bells to signal the end of the work day, so sometimes we find it difficult to separate work and family time,” said Heidi, who works as St. Mary’s College (SMC) special education lead teacher as well as the school’s student council teacher moderator.

However, there have been many joys for the family to experience in the current stay at home situation, with blessings to count, she said.

“We eat dinner together every night, trying new recipes. Eating meals together and making time for exercise has been key.”

Getting creative as a family in the current stay at home reality, Heidi said painting, adult colouring books, beading and reading have all been “great outlets.”

“Watching TV, especially documentaries, as a family, has prompted some great discussions. We are thirsty to be distracted away from the negativity of the news while still keeping our minds active.”

“It feels like a bonus having both girls home all the time. In normal times this would definitely not be the case. Seeing our students every day and knowing how grateful our students are, we feel appreciated,” Heidi said, appreciating the efforts students and families are making to adjust and stay engaged.”

In regards to students, she said “I look forward to learning with them every day.”

Heidi said her daughter Gracee misses learning in person, participating in school sports and clubs as well as the simple things like eating in the cafeteria and spending weekends with friends.

“Gracee often works late into the night, mostly because she has the time. She is used to being a student athlete and working part time, so without that she is staying busy with her classes. She has really made the most of online learning. She has amazing teachers who have gone above and beyond to make course content meaningful.”

From September to March she participated in a local volleyball league, Heidi said.

“That was a blessing because high school sports were not running.”

Another outlet for Gracee is her continuing involvement with St. Mary’s College student council, meeting virtually twice a week with fellow student council members.

Daughter Gabbe, a University of Windsor Concurrent Education - Visual Arts major was also learning at home in the Sault virtually after Christmas 2020 until mid-April.

“She missed the independence of being away at university and living with a group of her friends, but has made the most of being at home,” Heidi said.

“Our basement was quickly converted into her art studio. It was awesome to be able to see the creative process at work. It brought great energy to our home. We would never have gotten to see her projects and see her joy if we weren't all home together.”

Heading into the third year of her concurrent education program, Gabbe is now looking forward to enjoying the summer on a work placement locally.

“She’s the lucky one who gets to leave the house every day to go to work,” Heidi said.

Prior to the current lockdown, Gabbe was also working two part time jobs, one at a local eatery, the other at a retail outlet.

“She knows first hand the effects a lockdown can have on small businesses and local restaurants."

"She’s had her first COVID vaccination dose. All of her roommates from southern Ontario have also been vaccinated and are awaiting their second dose. That gives her hope of returning to university and learning in person in the fall,” Heidi said.

Heidi and husband/teacher Rob use the Google Classroom platform to teach.

“My students have adjusted remarkably well. I work as part of an awesome team and Google Classroom has enabled us to continue to provide meaningful experiences,” Heidi said.

“Our family has always thrived with structure, so this is no different. Having a routine and sticking to it has helped.”

Educators (as with all professionals) and students at all levels - elementary, secondary and post-secondary - had to quickly pivot from the classroom to home when COVID-19 restrictions struck in March 2020.

While those in rural settings have struggled with broadband and are eagerly waiting for government promises of funding for improved internet access to kick in, those in urban locations have fared better.

Not problem free for those families of course, but better.

“We’re fortunate to live centrally so the internet has not been an issue, for the most part. As teachers we were used to using technology to supplement and support student learning, so we were familiar with the platforms we now use daily,” Heidi said.

Though already familiar with technology, she said “our skills and comfort level with teaching virtually have definitely improved over the last year. Most students definitely learn best in a face to face setting, however all things considered we feel things are going well.”

Amid the ongoing stay at home situation (the provincial government hoping for a gradual lifting of restrictions in three stages after June 2), Heidi said “life is full of challenges and obstacles. You have the choice to be happy every day. We choose to celebrate the small things each day that bring us joy.”

Increased family time, she said, has led to discussions about the state of the world and the community, each family member asking themselves what they want to do to be more actively involved in life.

“We live in a home where we all have our own space and have access to good food and all the comforts of home. We enjoy each other's company, laughing together and creating new memories doing simple things. We have jobs where we can still work and earn an income and we are very aware of how many of our friends and community members are unable to do the same. The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of family. It’s reminded us how fortunate we are. It creates resilience.”

“The change in weather has provided us with renewed hope,” Heidi said.

“The lockdowns have given us the time to reflect on how truly blessed we are.”