Gray Matters, March 2021
The Year of Many Things
As we stare down our first Covid anniversary, March 11, 2020, it feels appropriate to take a moment to reflect and look forward. The past 12 months have forced us to navigate a level of complexity and uncertainty previously unknown. Understandably, there have been moments of tension and frustration. Our community has not been immune to Covid loss nor the pain of racial discrimination. This has been a year of undue sadness and stress.
The strength of our community and the significance of our mission have certainly been tested. Throughout the past year we have risen to the challenges. We have demonstrated tremendous support, empathy, and grace. We have embraced moments of collective joy and laughter. This year has certainly been difficult, but I am confident that in time when we are able to look back with true perspective, we will see that we have also experienced significant growth and learning.
This year has been many things. Several months ago, I shared the following poetic reflection with faculty and staff. As you read through, click the hyperlinked words and phrases or scroll through the images at the bottom of this message to see how our community has brought these words to life over the past several months.
Protocols, procedures, pre-screenings
Morning set up… folding tables and handwashing stations
Valets and sidewalk crossingsReimagined classrooms… yoga mats and camp chairs
Morning Messages, Advisory, Cohort Work time
Fun Fridays in First GradeRead alouds and name stories
Spelling sorts and reading boosts
Our library on a cart and PE in the ParkPatterns and numbers
214 gardening, the study of adaptations and natural selection, and ecosystems in a jar
HumanitiesPlay and imagination
A hybrid production of “Mary Poppins”
Artistically produced demos and on-line art peer critiqueSincrónico and Asynchrone
Parlay, Padlet, iPads, See Saw, and Chromebooks
Tech support! Student support!Virtual field trips and virtual admissions tours
Zooming cats and Zoom bombing siblings
Looking forward, there is growing enthusiasm for the spring. As we prepare for this next and final transition of the school year and receive anticipated new guidance from DC Health, we will once again update several protocols and procedures. Closer to April 5 you will receive communication primarily focused on:
- Arrival and dismissal
- Travel and Covid quarantine
- Lunchtime procedures
It will be a joy to have children back on campus much more full-time starting in April. We are excited to continue to see our campus come to life and our students flourish as we head into spring.
