Is the school year over yet?

I have never wanted a school year to end as much as I do with this school year.  Today Ethan gave me another battle to get his work done.  Today Ethan was to take an assessment for ELA & Math tomorrow.  Well, the ELA one did not happen today.  He is struggling too much.  I think he is fighting me on this because it is something he can control in his environment.  

I read this article a little while ago on Today Parents called We Will Come Back to You written by a 17-year-old, whose mom is a writer for Today Parents.  Joey Cariello wrote a beautiful article for his mom, Carrie Cariello, for Mother's Day.  He had me thinking differently about Ethan.  He helped me to see this struggle every day is Ethan's way of controlling a situation that as Joey said it "all over the news."  He is right.  Everywhere you look you hear or see about the lockdown, social distancing, stay home, be safe.  It is on the news, Facebook, & commercials.  Ethan said he checked out of school two weeks ago.  I think that is when all this fighting got worse.  I am not going to punish him for this.  Why?  How?  My goal for this school year is to finish the work.  I do not care if the work is not with 100% effort.  I would be happy with 70% effort.  I can not punish him when I have checked out, too.  I am done with this school year.  I am sure I am not alone in feeling like this.  I wonder if Ethan feels the same way as Joey does-"I don't want to do my work.  I don't see the point,...."  I just asked Ethan & he said yes, he feels the same.

We just got an email a few days ago from the school district.  We as parents have to decide how our kids will have their education in the fall- In school, online, or both (only for my older 2).  All 3 said in school.  I knew they would.  Then, I saw the CDC guidelines for school in the fall.  Noah said he does not care if he has to wear a mask or not, he wants to be IN school.  Ashleigh is worried about her asthma & I am worried about her panic attacks & autism.  She does not do well with a mask on.  Her asthma is not under control especially since she was just diagnosed last month.  We are in the beginning stage of it.  Ethan wants in school, but he is worried like his sister about the mask.  Ethan can not wear one because he has come close to passing out.  He has asthma, too, but only when he is sick.  

I have emailed his teacher, who Ethan does not prefer.  I have also emailed the principals and told them how everything is with Ethan.  I am thinking of sending them another email since I got a reply from the one principal.

Thank you to Joey for writing this article.  Joey, you helped me see why my 11-year-old son is struggling so much.

Melissa