Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade and Special Education

Whiplash, anyone? It seems that the longer we are into this pandemic, the longer the list of concerns and the list of questions. The big election, the big megaphones, the little voices all trying to break through the fog to move safely through daily personal and work life.  We want to pull the covers over our heads and not get out of bed; but, being responsible, caring, professional adults, hiding from reality is only occasionally an option.

A special badge of heroism belongs to the preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade and special education staff who worked their tails off these past weeks to be prepared to teach hybrid next week. All of you stepped up – with the mixed emotions surrounding hybrid because that was what was needed.   You wanted to be meeting and smiling in person to little ones who surely would finally see you in person and greet you with warmth and excitement.  Probably more than any other single classes, the little ones need in person learning.  The day will come when it will happen, and you will be more ready and happy when it does. 

One way to reflect on the District’s move to back up the starting date for our hybrid schedule is that we are being tested.  We had and have many points of view on moving forward.  We’re being tested on so many of the best human and professional qualities – higher purpose, well-being of all, collegiality, resiliency, support, integrity – not the qualities you would put on your resume, but ones you would want others to say about you. 

There are so many implications of the pandemic for Irving students and staff – the entire district.  We are moaning, bemoaning the fallout from the pandemic, the confusing state of affairs, the uncertainty of science, the uncertainty of the vaccine, and the winter ahead.

Against all this murkiness, go into the weekend, celebrate the wonderful good things and good relationships – with students, staff, and others that you have established in the midst of it all.   We have each other, and we have a district who is finding its way through all of it.

Marty

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