After multiple failed inspections, ongoing misuse of school funds, and rumours of an inappropriate relationship between the Principal and the Head of Governors, the Davies Academy for the Exceptionally Gifted was forced to close its doors today. This was mostly due to the anti-competitive practices of Houston Independent School District, who decided to open up in-person. I'd hoped we'd be in Brussels before this, but the wheels of bureaucracy turn slower than Pete's bike's on the way to school.
Talking of transport, it was the usual chaos this morning as there are now three Covid-safe entrances for cars to get onto campus, as well as two exits, and another entrance for walkers/bikers. I pitied the poor neighbourhood residents as I did my best impression of a bicycle courier, nipping in-between congested cars with angry drivers and attempting not to die.
I got home safely and...well, I have no idea what to do now. I'm unemployed (again). After staring into space for a while I went to find the Head of Governors to see if she wanted to have a 'meeting'. "Can't you see I'm busy?" she shouted. "Where's my coffee?!" Ah, plus ca change.
But fear not! Although Pete's school is making them wear masks, the Texas Governor passed a mandate against mask mandates, which was subsequently struck down by a court, until another court mandated that the first court couldn't mandate a mandate against mandates, but only until another court mandated on it the other way. America; land of infinite opportunity, if you're a lawyer.
All of which is to say: the school parents are running a sweepstake on when things shut down again (one Covid case = eight days at home for everyone!) and with Delta and a new thing called RSV ripping through the state, we're only offering very short odds. I may not get much of a chance for day-drinking...uh, personal development, before I'm back chanting times tables and throwing blackboard erasers.
Only a little bit of ugly-crying at the school gate.
