It’s the middle of August, and the fleeting moments of summer are here as we look ahead to the new school year.

I think back to last year at this time, when there was still so much uncertainty about what school would look like. Would districts be in-person five days, fully remote, or a hybrid model?

I shudder when thinking about those agonizing days, and I am thankful that we know, as of now, our kids will be back in the classrooms five days a week. But I can’t help but wonder for how long? Like many people, I never thought we’d still be dealing with COVID-19 as we embark on the 2021-22 school year. I’d hoped, as most of us did, that the pandemic would be in the rearview mirror by now, or at least slowly retreating. I’d hoped that our kids would be able to enjoy a “normal” school year.

But alas, here we are. Cases of the virus are rising in our area, and the delta variant shows no signs of slowing. And that is a scary thought, not only because our kids will be at risk of contracting it while in school but also because it could mean a return to remote learning.

I’m not quite as anxious as I was last August but I am feeling unsettled. Almost like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and schools will revert to remote learning at the last minute. It’s not a particularly comfortable feeling, and I suspect I’m not alone in my worry.

The worry about kids getting sick, schools having outbreaks, sports getting canceled and classes once again being relegated to Google Meet or Zoom have been occupying my thoughts as I hit the store aisles for back to school shopping.

Unlike just a month ago when COVID-19 cases were falling, everything now feels like it’s in limbo, and things could change on a dime.

But if this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is ever certain. It’s a helpless feeling but not one that’s unfamiliar. We’ve been here before.

All we can do is keep our families, and our communities, as safe as possible as the kids head back to school. And maybe keep our fingers crossed for a safe, healthy and productive year in the classroom.