When 1,035 Blanco students joyously departed for Spring Break last month, they didn’t know they wouldn’t see their teachers again until the next school year.

Blanco Independent School District students have not seen their classrooms since March 13; at that time, no COVID-19 cases had yet been discovered in the county. Fast forward five weeks and the county has had four confirmed coronavirus cases and another 12 “likely” cases, according to Blanco County Emergency Management on April 14. At least six people have recovered from the virus.

Other Texas counties have been hit much harder by the pandemic. The governor announced last Friday that all public schools in the state will be closed for the remainder of the semester.

School is not actually closed, however. District employees are still getting paid, and everybody is working in some capacity.

It’s been one Zoom meeting after another.

“It can get kind of overwhelming, but that’s just part of how we’re functioning right now,” said Clay Rosenbaum, who has been the district’s superintendent for three years. “One of my favorite things to do on a daily basis was to walk around and talk to the kids, so I’ve missed having that connection.”

Teachers have Zoom meetings with their classes, and some have their own websites or YouTube channels. “Home Learning Hub” is displayed prominently on the BISD website.

Rosenbaum looks forward to seeing the teachers during weekly Zoom meetings.

“It’s been difficult to not just be able to go chat with somebody,” he said. “I think all of us are feeling the same: It’s stressful for them, especially if they’re trying to be a teacher to our students and to their own children at home. I think they’re handling it well. But the longer this goes, the harder it’s going to get.”

The district has not forgotten about the Class of 2020: If you’ve noticed the stadium lights shining at 8 p.m. every weeknight, it’s for them.

“On Facebook at the same time we highlight three seniors with their senior picture, a baby picture, their accomplishments and a quote from them,” Rosenbaum said. “We wanted to do something for our seniors.”

A new normal

Blanco High School student Ashlee LaRue is finishing her senior year in front of a computer. A prolific athlete, LaRue is heading to the University of Mississippi this fall to play softball.

In the meantime, nothing can keep old teammates away from each other.

“We use group chat a whole lot and we’re always texting each other,” LaRue said. “I’m sad it ended because I got really close with a lot of the girls.”

LaRue overcame an injury that kept her out of the game for part of last year.

“I was just getting back in my groove,” she said.

School’s a bit different, but she’s adjusting to that, too.

“It’s all online so it hasn’t been too hard, but I have to set aside the time to get it done,” she said.

“Learning math over a computer is difficult, but other than that I’ve enjoyed it because I’m able to get it done more efficiently. The distractions (of the high school environment) are fun, but it’s easier to get work done now.”

The coronavirus closures are allowing students to hone their time management skills.

“I’m making my own schedule, because I want to stay fit and academically prepared for Ole Miss.”

Some other kinds of lessons can be learned.

“It teaches patience and to not take things for granted because things can be taken away from you quickly,” LaRue said. “Always be grateful.”

Slowing down

One local mom has a son who is a senior this year and, like LaRue, is missing his last season of high school athletics.

“He’s missing out on a lot of lasts, and I’m sad that I won’t get to savor many of the ‘lasts’ with him that I did with his older brothers and sisters. He’s my baby, so it was an especially poignant year,” said Heather Wagner. “Baseball was just starting, and without realizing it, he played his last high school game when Spring Break started. But he’s looking forward to the next chapter of his life and preparing for college.”

The family is fortunate to have been able to keep working in a local grocery store and restaurant.

“The challenge has been to make sure we stay well,” she said. “We’ve been blessed so far with good health.”

Like LaRue, Wagner is using this time to grow.

“We don’t have to live life so fast,” she said. “We’re so used to being busy all the time that being forced to slow down has been a challenge. It will make me appreciate the freedom to go and do what I wish.”

Suddenly, there are not commitments every night.

“We have the opportunity to reevaluate our priorities,” Wagner said. “Families are spending more time together and eating at home, parents are entertaining and interacting with their kids...I think this situation will cause a lot of people to not take for granted time with one another.”

LaRue advised folks to get out of the house, but safely.

“Make sure to not go crazy,” she said. “Getting out and walking my dogs instead of being cooped up has helped my mental health.”

Rosenbaum wants students and families to know that they can reach out to the district.

“We appreciate what parents are doing and we’re here to help.”

The school cafeteria provides grab-and-go meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30-11 a.m. at the elementary school, as well as at five drop-off locations. They served 200 meals last Monday alone, Rosenbaum said. Each package contains multiple meals.