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What would virtual schooling look like in 1992

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As fellow Canadian Michael Bublé sang, “it’s a new day, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new life” and it’s a new year. And January came in as a lion and is still baring its’ teeth. From the terror on Capitol Hill to lock downs and curfews here in Canada, we’re all left wondering what on earth is in store for us this year. I read a quote saying that 2021 smiled at 2020 and said, “hold my beer”. With what’s going on in the world, it had better be a strong one. #thestruggleisreal One struggle that is taking social media mommy groups buy storm that’s going on right inside homes all over our province that doesn’t involve a virus, unless it’s a virus on your computer – is the challenge of homeschooling their kids. Right now, families all around us are doing their best to keep their sanity while working from home, hosting zoom meetings with jam-stained shirts and dogs barking – their kids in school from the comfort of their kitchen table yelling every five minutes about the internet speed or that t...
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The infamous "Grade 13 Christmas Play"

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Omg it’s almost Christmas. At Duke of York, this was the most “fav-ou-rite time of the year” for us kids. We had candy-grams to buy and send out to our friends to help raise money for grad (yes, you get four Glen Coco); we had a festive spirit week to participate in that included Jammie Day, Silly Slippers Day, Santa Hat Day, Tacky Christmas Sweater “before it was a thing” Day, homemade gift exchanges with friends, Secret Santa shenanigans and, to close off the festivities – the Grade 13 Christmas play. This was the most exciting holiday event for any graduate from Duke of York. It was an all-inclusive production where every single graduate had a role either writing scripts, acting, producing skits, choreographing the dance showcase, music, overall logistics, AV crew, or writing the class song. We were to entertain the entire school for an afternoon – and mostly at the faculty’s expense. Sorry Mr. Farooqui. Grace was on student council and with drama being her jam, she was knee deep i...
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Teacher Creatures

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First and foremost we must acknowledge the challenge and heroism of teachers, educators and all school personnel during these incredibly challenging times, a genuine nod to you all… This piece is meant to be a tribute and reflection of our high school teachers from the ‘90s, so come with me as I bring you back to a simpler time, because hey, who’s gonna turn down a chance at escapism these days, am I right? In your 40’s you come to the terrifying realization you are THAT AGE – circling the age bracket of your high school teachers, WTF! Truth be told, I considered becoming a teacher for awhile, er, a second… one high school experience was enough for me apparently. Littering the chalkboards at Duke of York, Patricia and I had the necessary teacher potpourri: Hot Teacher: Mr. Carnegie, who taught gym and well, was basically just my homeroom teacher but man, it was the best 15 minutes   of my day. Sleeping Teacher: Mrs. Reid who actually had a medical condition that caused...
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Parental ghosting

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Everyone has been ghosted at some point in their modern-day life. Whether it be a friend who fell off the earth, that boy that’s “just not that into you”, or the guy that promised to buy your car online but never showed. But what about being ghosted by your parents? This was very common during our childhood summers. As soon as the sun rose, young people slowly started to surface. We were fed, then tenderly kicked out of the house with the complete expectation that we would be home in time for supper. In fact, if we came home before supper, we were asked if we were ok, or if someone bit us, or the infamous “what are you doing home? “We had no clip-on water bottles, no lunch box with cute heart shaped sandwiches or lunchables, no sweater, no snacks, no money, sometimes even no shoes – and definitely no cell phone. Parental ghosting looked a little different than today’s “ceasing all communication and contact with an individual without any apparent warning”. At a young age, it usually st...
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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25 Things Only 1990s Kids Know

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                Eavesdropping on a landline and having the skills to be able to hang up without the incriminating ‘click’ 2.        Assuming plans you made a week ago are still happening 3.        Prank calling people because there was no call display 4.        The sweet sound of the dial up tone – can you imagine, not being able to use the phone and the internet at the same time? I know, how DID we survive? 5.        Endlessly debating if Ross and Rachel were really on a break – jury’s still out 6.        Just showing up at someone’s house – who does that? We did, all the time 7.        Getting the last copy of the new release at the video store, THE LAST ONE! 8.        Where you were when the OJ ver...
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