Hello Friends,
On the other end, there is a gift of time felt by some of our families that can be rejuvenating and meaningful. More walks, eating and cooking together, board games, teaching and learning together, having time to listen to each other, and feeling spring pick-lock our hearts to open.
A parent shared an essay with me recently, re-framing the concern around the idea of students “falling behind” during this time of school closures. It challenges us to consider the values this moment has the potential to create within our children. Values that switch the idea of “falling behind” into “advanced.” The essay pointed out that children are getting a real education in empathy, the importance of family connection, the joys of reading and creative play, how to entertain yourself, how to enjoy quiet moments, how to notice and listen to the natural world, how to cook, fold laundry, keep a house organized, stretch a dollar, plan a shopping trip, eat meals together and be resilient. It asks the question, what if this time shifts the focus of who our society considers heroic from sports figures, pop stars, and actors to teachers, librarians, public servants, and the previously invisible essential works like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, and health workers, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now. I encourage us all to consider the perspective this essay offers.
At-Home School Work
I have been on many Zoom webinars with heads of school across the country. I have participated in discussions with the National Association of Independent Schools, The Independent Schools of Associated Central States, the Ohio Association of Independent Schools, and the American Montessori Society, to name a few. One thing is abundantly clear; what our teachers and staff have put together for curriculum and at-home support is WAY ahead of the pack. The amount of pre-recorded video lessons, live check-ins, one-on-one support, daily office hours, robust and meaningful curriculum, and clear/consistent communication is far beyond the norm. What we have done serves as an exemplar for other schools.
As I mentioned earlier in this email, each family within our community is somewhere along a wide spectrum of stress during this time. Because of this, TNSM is taking the position to have all assigned work at each level voluntary. Work completion is highly encouraged, but we are unable to mandate it, knowing the complexities of this time. This being said, the teachers are eager and ready to accept work and respond to it. Please make the choice that is right for your family. You may consider keeping all of the work you have done in a binder or folder to share with teachers in the fall of 2020. We will continue to provide up to 3-4 hours of daily curriculum/lessons/activities, however we encourage families to pick and choose what lessons/assignments are best for them.
Friday Morning Dance Party
Next Friday, April 17 @ 8:00 am, TNSM will be hosting a school-wide, 3-minute, pajama dance party on Zoom. Consult the email to get the link.
TNSM Food Program
Our food program for TNSM continues to be a popular offering for families. Audrey has been doing amazing work to prepare delicious meals in a safe way.
Please remember to pick up the lunches you have signed up for. We have been having 3-5 families who have been forgetting to pick up lunches each day. Signupgenius has been set up to send a lunch reminder email to you a day ahead of time to help with this.
If you forget to pick up your food, there is no way to get it afterwards. Audrey buys and prepares based on the sign ups and then limits her time in the school/kitchen. It is a significant effort to coordinate the pick up, stay safe and limit exposure. We donate all food once the pick up is closed at 3:00.
If you have forgotten to sign up for lunch, we cannot add you to the Signupgenius list once it’s been locked.
We have figured out a new and safer way to hand your lunches to you while we all maintain a safe distance from one another.
Things that remain the same:
- Lunches on Mon, Wed and Fri.
- Drive in carline as we have always done for (6-9) pick up and drop off.
- Serving from 2:00 to 3:00.
What’s different?
- Jeff won’t hand your lunch to you. There will be a table there instead.
- When you are first in line, open your window and yell out your name from your car.
- The person behind the table (Jeff, Audrey or Rob, depending on the day) will get your lunch ready for you and will place it on the table.
- Once that staffer steps back a safe distance, you will get out of your car and will pick up your lunch from the tabletop.
Two COVID-19 Resources
I am attaching two valuable resources:
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease. This resource includes a great chart showing common reactions from children specific to their ages and how to help.
- Myths vs. Facts concerning COVID-10 provided by the Ohio Department of Health.
I am thinking of you all and am here for questions or concerns.
Best,
Jeff Groh