Teachers are shepherds and during adversity we all bring the flock in close, finding comfort in our community and connectedness.
Some 40 years ago, In 1982, I graduated from college and started my first job as a 4th grade teacher in Washington State. Dr. Dick Weathermon, the superintendent who guided me into my first job and asked me to take over for a teacher who had departed on extended leave and would not return due to significant health issues. I took over a class of 34 fourth graders who felt abandoned and alone, not understanding what had happened to the start of their school year. Less than six months later, we would mourn together the passing of their teacher. We each found voice in our journey, learning through pain and confusion, and finding resiliency in our shared survival.
I remember how, in this foundational year for me and them, we shared in our growing. I was as green as you can be in your first year as a teacher, barely out of my student-teaching experience and much to learn. But, Dr. Weathermon suggested, as he hired me, that I would be embarking on a journey, not taking a job. He told me at the time that teaching was like being a shepherd and I would find myself often looking upon my “flock,” guiding them, nurturing them, and protecting them from harm. Those words resonate with me today as we reflect on our challenges and our most recent devastating loss.
Iga
Iga Kielczewska-Skoczylas was a precious member of our community, and we are working hard to find ways to express our grief, keeping her sparkle in our hearts and memories, now and always. We are all shepherds in this way, guiding, protecting, cherishing, and remembering.
You’ll find herein, messages from principals about how we will proceed with this work of fellowship and care. Our appreciation for all the messages of support for the family. As the week continues, more opportunities to participate in important healing activities will become clear. Please reach out if there is anything else we should be considering.
Wishing you all the best in the upcoming holidays! Whether celebrating the inspiration of good will toward men, or the many elements of family and cultural from your home, please let me offer my collective “hug” to the community and wishes for time to celebrate family and renewal. With the coming of the new year, we always reflect on our hopes and dreams. May the coming new beginning be filled with earnest optimism for both things lost that we hope to regain along with things earned and cherished that we hope to retain. May you find the joy and gladness found in the warm embrace of those who love and care for you!
Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
After the Break
We have crystalized our schedule for returning to school in January. Here’s the basic schedule for re-entry testing for students:
Saturday, January 8, 8:00a to 4:00p
Sunday, January 9, 12:00p to 4:00p
Monday, January 10, 8:00a to 4:00p
Sign-up for these dates opens in PowerSchool starting tomorrow, so you can book your appointment well ahead of time. It will remain open throughout the break to schedule as you are able. We’ll send a reminder in the days prior as well.
Please watch for any other announcements of update through the break, which will be sent as we learn more about all factors to be considered.
Testing at School on Friday
We had a survey for pre-signup for travel based testing on Friday, December 17th. Notification of times associated with that survey have been sent to those individuals and thank you for helping us to determine staffing levels for the day. We have additional capacity on the day between 10:00a and 3:00p, so additional individuals are welcome to come during those times.
Epixpert is offering three services on the day:
Paperwork for student regular testing – you need to request this from Epixpert and they can provide confirmation of negative test based on student normal testing. There is no fee for this service, but you must request in advance and we must know if students need to be tested on Friday rather than their normal day on Thursday, where applicable. Documentation for travel can be provided.
Antigen Testing – Can be provided on demand. Results and paperwork confirming negative test are provided as part of the service and will be available same day.
PCR Testing – Can be provided on demand. Results will be available next day and can be downloaded with the information provided.
If you have other requests, you need to contact Epixpert directly by speaking to them in our main lobby tomorrow between 8a and 10a. You can also consult the information on their website for other options: https://www.epixpert.org
A shout of thanks to all who have been busy decorating our facilities to put us in a bit of festive spirit. Many thanks to PTO for their amazing work in all of our entrances and areas, brightening our days with decoration and holiday cheer. A big shout out as well to our Facilities and Maintenance Division for their efforts with lighting outside and inside the school and all of the additional efforts to make our campus capture the spirit of the season!
We have a few days remaining before we head off into the long holiday vacation. We’ll do what we can to tie up all of the loose ends before we take another well deserved break.
Vaccination – Ages 5-11
We have confirmation that vaccine rollout for Ages 5-11 is set for Wednesday, December 15. Based on meetings today, we believe we can be ready and would keep the 16th as a backup date in case of any unforeseen problem. The sign up for vaccination is still open and you need to pre-register. We’ll send everyone a confirmation of time on Monday to get ready for our day. Here is the open form (deadline is Friday):
The form for showing interest in COVID testing at school on December 17 is still open so that Epixpert can plan their staffing accordingly. Documentation for student testing can also be provided, but please fill out the interest form for the whole family so that work load can be estimated. The form for showing your interest is here (deadline is Monday):
We will not be open for testing after Friday. While we will maintain a minimized schedule for testing of staff during the vacation, we will not be open for public testing. Testing is generally available and you can also fine convenient options for testing with Epixpert via their website: https://epixpert.org/store/
Planning for After the Vacation
We currently have a draft plan for after the vacation and would like your feedback before confirming this plan next week. With your feedback, we’ll begin set up of our usual systems and Crisis Team will review your input before confirming.
We plan to have full school re-entry testing as would normally be the case. Currently this plan would include family-based testing appointments for students starting on Saturday, January 8th, and Sunday, January 9th. Students who are green in OK4School based on weekend testing could return to school on Monday, January 10th.
We would also have testing available for students all day on Monday, but those testing on Monday would not be able to return to school until Tuesday morning. After that, we return to normal re-entry testing for any remaining students on a daily basis between 8a and 10a.
Under current status, we would continue twice per week testing during the first week back, so the second test would be on Thursday and Friday for the whole school.
We welcome your thoughts and would appreciate your comments on our feedback form. I’ve added a question temporarily for this about our return from vacation plan for your input. That form is here:
After a problem with the Polish registry system, 99% of the records from our booster shot event are now in the system. The staff at Vaxmed apologize for the delay while the system was done, but all is now done. Please reach out to Vaxmed if you need any further assistance on documentation of this prior event.
Late today I received word that we will be able to put together a vaccination event here at ASW for 5-11 year olds. The government announced that they will start delivering vaccine for this age range starting December 13. I’ve reserved with Vaxmed.pl the dates of December 14, 15, or 16 depending on supply. We currently envision an afternoon into evening event where we can vaccinate about 40 per hour starting at 2:00p in the afternoon until as late as 8:00p. I’ll be sending more details on this home in the Monday Weekly update along with sign-up instructions. My thanks to Dr. Jakob at Vaxmed.pl for his continued support and partnership in this project. I hasten to add, this is all subject to deliveries coming on time as planned.
Last week’s booster event was a success, but please be advised that they are still working on records and we have been assured that they are working hard to complete them for online access and for the records that will be sent to you directly. Please be patient.
If you are still in need of a booster, you will need to find another provider through your doctor or via Vaxmed.pl’s website. We will not have another booster event for adults at ASW before the Holiday Break.
If you didn’t see it earlier today, I postponed Town Hall to next week, December 8th. We are gathering information on Omicron and other items for the coming holidays. Thank you for your patience and for understanding the late notice.
Finally, my appreciation for all the input received by email or through our feedback form. We are still showing good feedback from the community and I appreciate all of your helpful advice as I work with my team of leaders. Here’s the latest on how you think we are doing according to respondents over the last month or two (1 is low, 10 is high):
Please keep reaching out to me directly by email or via the feedback form!
Please see the linked message from our board chair, Katharine LaBanca, summarizing recent decisions and board progress on goals for the year. As always, the engaging work of the board continues in earnest and Kay has provided important insight along with thanks for all who are contributing to our progress and success.
Quick COVID stats update
In terms of our current wave of infections here in Poland, the data is consistent with the projections discussed in our recent Town Hall. We expect, as does the government, that the current wave will peak in the coming weeks. Additionally, we believe vaccinations for ages 5-11 will be approved in Poland starting December 5. That leaves the school in a difficult position relative to supporting vaccination at school given the coming holiday vacation. There is not enough time to get the necessary two doses in before we depart. Currently under consideration is a vaccination event immediately as we return in January. I’m happy to have your feedback on this.
One question that has come up is a request to report the statistics relative to recent infections and vaccination status. I did some calculations today. Amongst students, 19% of our cases have been students who were immunized. That’s understandable since students under 12 are not yet vaccinated. Updating our status on age 12+ students: we have 80% vaccinated. For adults, the number is much higher and confirms the waning immunity and the need for boosters. 76% of our adult cases were vaccinated individuals. This validates our approach to continued testing of both populations equally and helps to guide us in future planning under our protocols. The good news is we can also see a correlation amongst the vaccinated that they experience mild symptoms and this further confirms the importance of vaccination to protect against more serious consequences. We continue to believe that there are three components to overall recovery: vaccination, sanitary protocols, and wider availability of treatment drugs for those who become sick. Progress is being made on all fronts.
My message of thanks
For me, let me just offer my thanks to all in the spirit of the season. For those connected to our American core and heritage, tomorrow marks a key entry into the holiday season ledger. Thanksgiving remains an entry point into the season for those of American heritage and is rooted in family traditional values.
So, during this long weekend, please reflect on the importance of family and the loving embrace of those in your close orbit. We need those strong personal connections where we find strength and foundation. I’m thankful for all of you in the extended ASW family. Again and again, we embrace the challenges and come together in distinctive ways that we refer to as the Warrior Spirit. In the spirit of positive thinking, there is no place I’d rather be and I see nothing but opportunity on the horizon. Hugs to all for another well deserved opportunity for rest and renewal!
I had two aspiring leaders in my office today, representing the administration-for-a-day from elementary. We discussed briefly their plans for the day and noted their organization and skills. My thanks to Rita B. and Harper R. for their service. They clearly understood the main charge of any school administrator – Take care of your kids! I shared some treats with them and their thoughts immediately were considerate of classmates and potential dietary considerations. After a brief dialog and picture session, I offered my help for any of their concerns, but they competently stated they “had this one.” – Something you hope to hear every day from your key leaders.
Small things like this often plant seeds for the future. I’m impressed daily by the opportunities that students have that grow into clear aspirations and dispositions for a life of service and accomplishment. These two young students are fully ready to take on the world!!
The silver lining of our current circumstance may be found in these little victories and the positive outcomes of surmounting great adversity together. We may find in the further reaches of this slow recovery that our children have newfound depths of resilience that they can use to face the unknown challenges beyond the horizon. The excitement and energy is infectious and renewing. I saw it during UN Day with both parents and students. It was evident today in the Formal Day in the high school – the suits, tuxedos, and gowns were brilliant!! Students are gathered across the hall from my office right now (and virtually around the world) starting the Berlin Model United Nations Conference and working to address how we can achieve world peace. I see similar activities every day in the hallways, classrooms, and on the fields and playgrounds around the school.
The mission of self-care and wellness is still center stage at ASW. These activities help us address our healing, but we need to continue our vigilance for the care and concern of others, both in and around our community. The many projects of the season will provide opportunity to bring a spotlight on our community service efforts. Many projects are in preparation, as has been our tradition.
Finally, you will find an announcement below on a unique opportunity tomorrow night to join a virtual conference for CEESA parents throughout the region hosted by the American International School of Vilnius. Dr. Michael G. Thompson is a wonderful author, practitioner, and speaker worthy of your consideration.
Many things happening around the school despite the challenges of the calendar. We have a holiday this weekend due to Poland’s Independence Day – see more about that HERE. There is always a strong afinity between an international school and the host country, so let me take this opportunity on Poland’s special day to offer my regards to all of our Polish community as we head into an important day of reflection. We offer appreciation to all of you for allowing us to reside for a time under your sovereignty. We appreciate all that you do to make us all feel welcome and supported. On the heels of our Day of Diversity, it’s important to reflect on all that Poland offers us to support the mission and vision of the school. We are empowered by the good will that is evident in our interactions at all levels. I know that, no matter how long I remain here, I will forever fondly reflect on Poland as “home.” Last night, this was the theme of one of the special songs presented by the middle school choir and it brought tears to my eyes. While we will always be Warriors, and always ASW, we will also always be a bit Polish in our hearts because of our marvelous experiences here and the “family” that we will leave behind. Thank you, Poland, for all that you have done to help us feel a part of your wonderful country. We wish you well as you celebrate your “birthday!”
Please remember to sign up for COVID or flu vaccination here. I need final counts by Friday at noon:
Stay well as we remain on the path to the holidays. Be safe and hopeful in the days and weeks ahead. We remain optimistic that we are still on the grinding path to recovery!
One of the most important aspects of ASW is our unique diversity. With 50+ countries represented in our mix, we have a uniquely complicated recipe that leads to a community of significant flavor and complexity. Winston Churchill is quoted as saying:
“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common… Celebrate it every day.”
Winston Churchill
In the accomplishment of our mission of “changing the world for the better,” there is no better core value to live by than embracing that we are all in this together and that no one should be left behind. Working together is about accepting the diversity of thinking that comes from our inherent diversity, the uniqueness of each human spirit bringing their hopes and dreams in to a community tapestry of aspiration. I look forward each year to our opportunities on United Nations Day to embrace this spirit and give opportunity to each voice of home and culture. Valuing that identity and sharing it with others gives it life and meaning – an important part of growing and becoming. While we can’t be totally back to normal just yet, we are hopeful that this year’s UN Day will bring some measure of embracing what makes us special! Thank you to PTO and all who will make it a special day for our students on Friday. More details in eNotes further down in this message.
Withdrawal Notice
Please be reminded of the following deadlines for second semester withdrawal notices:
Withdrawal notice received before November 15th – 0% tuition due, 100% refund of tuition previously paid for second semester
Withdrawal notice received from November 16th-December 15th – 50% tuition due, 50% refund of tuition previously paid for the second semester
Withdrawal notice received after December 15th – 100% of tuition due for second semester, no refund for second semester
Just want to thank everyone for all their efforts to date to keep school open and engaged. This includes parents and students, but also many thanks to all the faculty, staff, and administrators who oversee daily efforts and have worked tirelessly to get us to this point. And, also, thanks to all the PTO efforts continuing behind the scenes for decorating and otherwise coloring our school life with engaging experiences.
I’ll reiterate my message of caution for next week that was expressed in my Weekly message on Monday. We still should be cautious during the break. I know that many are traveling and I wish you safety in your journey. Please be thoughtful as numbers continue to climb all around us with few exceptions.
I was also approached by a few messages recently asking for us to open our doors to allow spectators during Warrior Day. I’ve checked with my team and we do not feel comfortable with this yet. I know that some will see this as being overly cautious and potentially inconsistent with other recent outdoor events, including the PTO BBQ. I understand your concern, but we are just not ready to open the gates broadly when we are in operation during normal hours (including after school activities/athletics). As I’ve explained, the PTO BBQ and other recent outdoor events in Warsaw are different because individual families are able to make a choice about participating or not. During normal school operations, this is not the case and I have to stick with our current mitigation level that would limit general open parent access. In our first opportunities for sporting competition earlier, we have not allowed spectators and testing of the teams prior to each match is part of our control requirements on both campuses. I do believe we will find ways to include spectator participation soon, but the crisis team and medical advisors are not yet ready to approve this until we see more clear evidence of a reduction of community spread and opportunity for vaccinating our elementary students. We continue to monitor and consider these options regularly. If you have further feedback, please feel free to join the survey that is always open and happy to continue the conversation:
Each year, I offer training sessions for aspiring board members. This can include our Board of Trustees, who are always recruiting new members, as well as service on other non-profit boards for charitable organizations. There is general information about serving on the board and specific information about how ASW governance works.
If you would like to participate, you can sign up by clicking here for the next session on November 4 @ 6:00 p.m.:
The BoT is always seeking potential candidates as new Trustees (U.S. citizens and Non-U.S. citizens) who could serve to fill open positions through appointment or run for elections in the spring. This process, overseen by the Board of Trustees Governance Committee is ongoing throughout the year. The link to that form is here:
We have flu vaccine for children (2-18) now in stock and are ready for use on November 6 (Saturday) from 9a to 1p with the help of our partner Epixpert. Those who filled out the survey received invitation to register yesterday and we can now open registration to others who are interested, but did not participate in the survey. Details about the vaccine are on the form which you can find here:
As you will find in eNotes below, we begin the process of sign-up for both conferences and for your re-entry testing by our drop-in format following the October break. November 2-3 are dedicated to virtual conferences for students and you’ll sign up for appointments for your meetings with teachers. Starting last year, we coordinated this activity following the October break in order to also provide an opportunity for families to come to school for re-entry testing given the potential risks to the school community of a long vacation. It should be noted that we will make decisions about the remainder of the first week back based on the results of re-entry testing and we also intend to follow a higher frequency of testing for an additional week after we are back as a precautionary measure.
I should hasten to add that we are thoughtful about our recent cases and the increasing numbers being reported daily in Poland (2640 today). Since a few of our cases have also been vaccinated individuals, it confirms our approach to treat vaccinated and unvaccinated the same for the time being. We also recognize that other illnesses with similar symptoms are in the air, including the flu, some strep throat, and seasonal colds. We are not ready to increase from our medium level protocol and are currently recommending the following:
Be careful about “outside of school” activities. If you are involved in outside activities, we recommend maintaining a mask wearing protocol – even in the case of tutors or private lessons and irrespective of vaccination status of the individuals involved.
Be thoughtful about travel and mixing with crowds of any size. Again, following hand washing and masking guidelines can help prevent infection and should be followed even if others are not following this guidance around you.
Be thoughtful about mass transit – we are back to being concernd about buses and any enclosed mixing with general population, as we have suggested previously. While we know it is necessary in some cases, please wear a mask and try to distance from others.
We can’t advise directly on travel. As we noted earlier in the year, we are leaving this determination to government authorities for control of destination and any quarantine imposed when returning to Poland. We can only share that this is still a risk, even with the protocols and requirements now in place. We worry most about younger children who do not yet have a vaccination option. So, please be careful.
We know that, generally speaking, young children have been generally spared the more severe symptoms associated with this illness generally. However, there is a small statistical probability that some children will become more sick than others and we should continue to be cautious because of that small chance that someone might be more seriously impacted. Our layers of protective mitigation provide a high degree of safety, but nothing is 100%. Therefore, I only suggest caution and that you follow habits that we have forged together.
It is not yet time to relax, so please make sure your kids have comfortable masks to wear each day, plus a backup. Make hand washing a family habit and stick to it – frequently. Watch the distancing and avoid crowds. Travel thoughtfully and follow all protective measures required – and more!
Parent Testing & Test to Stay
During our most recent town hall, we put forward the proposal for implementing two new programs. The first is the long promised parent testing which we announced on Monday via the Weekly update. It involves a link to the Epixpert portal for the purchase of vouchers which can be used towards weekly testing and use of the OK4School application for daily attestation. Further to that communication, we also have stipulations associated with the program. We will limit parent access to the Ground floor of the school for the foreseeable future and parent access to the school will always be through the main entrance. We offer this program primarily for those additional volunteers who want to participate with PTO. This program is available for purchase now and you just need to contact security along with your “green” status on OK4School to enter the building. Mask wearing is required in the building at all times.
The second program, “Test to Stay,” has developed at schools in the U.S. and England and we believe it can be implemented here. One study regarding the program is provided as a backdrop to the program:
This only provides an option for “close contact” individuals allowing them to choose to be tested daily for 7 days and remain in school rather than at home on isolation and exclusion. It has a cost associated with it as follows:
We intend to start this program as an option after the October break. As we discussed in the Town Hall, I’m happy to receive any further comment on this before full implementation.
Vaccination
First, for flu vaccine, there is some difficulty in confirming shipments and availability, but as I was writing this tonight, I got confirmation of pending delivery of the childhood nasal vaccine for 2-18 year olds. We will NOT be ready for our original date of Saturday, October 16. We are now looking at a possible date next week in hopes of offering this before the break. We are at the mercy of high demand and frustrated deliveries, so please be patient with us.
For COVID vaccine, we are looking at dates after the break and will come back with dates and registration for those dates next week. If you are looking for a booster, it may be better to seek support from doctors and clinics right now because each person needs to be qualified in the Polish national system to receive a booster based on the current eligibility standards. Our focus will be on future events for students and we are still hopeful of the vaccine being available for our younger students in the coming weeks.
By the way… Our current vaccination rate (one or more doses) for Upper School students is 80%!
Dr. Donna Lynn Swagers (1945-2021), elementary principal at ASW from 2002-2008, passed away on September 30, 2021. After growing up in Seattle, WA, USA, she found her true calling as an educator, spending 30+ years in education as a teacher, principal, director, and mentor to many students, teachers, and families. Being an educator took Donna to many different regions in Washington and ultimately to Warsaw. Donna regarded her time as an educator in Poland as the adventure of a lifetime.
Over the years Donna enjoyed sailing, boating, riding motorcycles, and being a member of various organizations. She especially loved her Harley dog.
She was married to the love of her life Peter Swagers for 20+ years. Peter was security coordinator at ASW during Dr. Swagers tenure at ASW. In their retirement, they decided to reside on Camano Island and enjoyed traveling in their motorhome.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Peter, son Chad Hudson, and her two grandsons Austin and Ryan Hudson. Donna has been laid to rest and the family is going to have a memorial gathering this coming Saturday in Seattle.
Thoughts for the family can be forwarded to the Director’s Office for compilation into a memory book that will be sent to the family at a later date. You can send them to the school, forward via email to director@aswarsaw.org, or simply add a comment to this post on Zimplicity.
Vaccination Survey – by tomorrow please
Please remember to fill out the vaccination survey by tomorrow, Thursday, in order to get our numbers for planning. Registration will quickly follow, particularly for the Flu vaccination. We need a rough idea of numbers to determine if we can go ahead and order the vaccines.
On Friday this week, our entire staff will take part in a Day of Diversity! The day will serve as a professional development launching place for the journey we intend to take around inclusivity at ASW. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice are big themes of the conversations teachers will be having with each other and aligned with strategic work approved by the board in June. Many staff members have stepped forward to lead conversations and idea inquiries into topics related to the belief that ALL students are OUR students and that ALL students belong and are valued at ASW. The PD will help us to investigate inclusion structures and processes to maximize support for students and increase pathways to success for all students. In addition to the teacher collaboration aspects of the day, the staff will engage with a keynote address from Dr. Elizabeth Schoeder, a consultant, and expert in the area of inclusive and affirming education. At ASW we continue to strive to be consistent with our core values and be Accepting, Safe, and Welcoming!
Sports Update under COVID
As part of our mitigation plan at the medium level, we opened the door to talking about local competition for our sports teams. As we discussed this possibility, we reached out to medical advice and confirmed that we would only be able to consider this if we were collaborating with schools that are following the same or similar protocols for community protection like at ASW. Knowing this, some dialog was initiated with the British School Warsaw to discuss the potential for a pilot event that would take into account necessary protocols and provide for a safe opportunity for our teams to compete. We settled on our pilot program focusing on football (soccer).
One of the key agreements is similar to our protocol for our recent parent event at the Marriott with pre-event testing. Both schools have a testing program in place and both are working with Epixpert on this. While there are differences, we have access to the same materials and staff.
Therefore, we are planning for our first soccer match on Monday, October 4, with our HS Girls’ Soccer traveling to the British School and our boys hosting the British School HS Boys’ Soccer at ASW. We are not opening to spectators for this first match, but we are hopeful for outdoor events in the future that will allow this opportunity in a controlled fashion. Coaches and officials will also be vaccinated and tested.
We’re happy to be able to provide this opportunity to students and hopeful of a positive experience as we take measured steps in our overall recovery. No decision on CEESA sports or traveling is likely to come before a December time frame and we will communicate to parents about other activities we might organize along these lines. Looking forward to a spirited match on Monday. Go Warriors!
Over the years, much research has been done concerning the importance of the home-school connection in a child’s education. Consistently, this research has confirmed the positive impacts on all aspects of schooling associated with parent knowledge of and support for all aspects of the school experience. Consider the following quote from 1997…
Children learn best when the significant adults in their lives — parents, teachers, and other family and community members — work together to encourage and support them.
https://www.edutopia.org/home-school-team
Or this one from a 2020 study out of Oakland University…
How engaged families are in their children’s lives, whether at home or in school, predicts their success in school and in life.
Both suggest, as do many others, that the dynamics of the school-home relationship are critical to holistic education and form the foundation of a child’s success. We’ve seen this all around us in the kinds of activities that wrap around our work together in building community. It is through the activities of our parent group and the opportunities to help us build relationships that become a critical component of the overall benefit.
Another point from the 2020 study…
Relationships were woven throughout all focus groups as an essential element in supporting family engagement. Relative to relationships, inclusive activities and communication strongly prevailed as essential elements supporting family engagement.
We are very much aware of this relationship element in our understanding of school success here at ASW. So much so, that we captured it in our Core Values (Without Us All, We’re Nothing) and suggest that we would leave no one behind in trying to enhance these connections and relationships at every opportunity.
You’ve seen one part of this engagement through our Back-to-School nights this week. While encumbered by COVID protocols, we are trying hard to continue reaching out with the information you need to understand what we do in the classroom, but also provide the foundation of building a relationship that serves your child’s needs. Use this as an opportunity to better understand our hopes and dreams for your children and reach out as much as you desire to build that all-important partnership in order to surround our children with learning experiences that bridge the gap between home and school. Ask your questions, share your insights so that we can all work together toward the common goal of accomplishment and pride.
See you tonight at Town Hall – note the modified time of 7:30p in order to accommodate ES Back-to-School Night (see below).
This last weekend, as we offered vaccines to our 12+ students and while we had a traditional staff social event that had been on hiatus during the pandemic, I was also reflecting on the past and watched with interest the memorial moments centered on a tragic historical event. A large portion of our community was engaged in thoughts and reflections surrounding that event and many of us may have been affected more directly through the impact on ourselves, friends, and/or family.
My reflections on 9-11-2001 involve my time as an elementary principal in Buckley, Washington. I received the call from my Superintendent as I was sitting down to breakfast on the West Coast and watch it unfold on television. I continued to my school and began immediately confronting worry and concern while comforting staff members concerned about friends and relatives in the New York area and waiting for word of their safety. Unbeknownst to me at the time, a close friend was in New York on a short business trip and was a few short blocks away from the towers in the midst of the emergency efforts. So, I remember with clarity the day as it unfolded.
But, here’s where the story takes a turn. Later that night, after a stressful day, I was woken to make a midnight trip to the hospital when my wife informed me that my daughter was intent on making her debut. At just after 3:00a on 9-12-2001, Erin Zurfluh entered the world.
So, I’m left with both one of the worst days in memory and one of the best days of my life sandwiched together. On this last weekend, I found myself reflecting on the importance of 9-11 when we all needed to come together, and thereafter, celebrated the 20th birthday of my precious daughter.
I think this may need to be the way we always encounter the most challenging times in life. Our adolescent learners often grapple with the emotional tides that swing from happy to sad in the blink of an eye. Even our youngest students can be crying one moment and the next enveloped by joyous giggles. Something that we thought was devastating often turns to silver linings that bring meaning and renewal getting us past the heartache.
In the end, I just want our community to know that some in our midst were reflecting on the past in recent days and may have shed a tear of sadness. This happens often throughout the year with different nuances depending on the cultural backdrop of your personal story. We should share these moments often, embrace each other in kind regard, and broaden the diversity of our global understanding. I cherish these moments in the true spirit of “Work Together – because without us all we’re nothing.” I’m blessed by your fellowship, enjoy the “bounce back” spirit in the worst of times, and the resilience built through common purpose.
I’m looking forward again to sharing some non-virtual time with all of you on the weekend. I’ll be there, with my umbrella if necessary. We hope for the best in the final days of summer but are always prepared for the worst. (Summer officially ends on September 22!). Dry and happy thoughts, please! See you on Saturday!
The board met on Monday night and got the ball rolling on the year, including approving the annual submissions on Organizational Chart and the current edits to the school Crisis Plan.
We also presented the latest version of the Culture of Giving brochure for our upcoming launch with the community and all appreciated the keen focus on all the many potential areas of partnership for the benefit of our students and in service to our mission. We will have more information available in the near future on this campaign and the associated activities.
We had an array of reports by the administration providing a look at year startup which included some amazing results from last year in our IB Results and many of the goals in divisions, departments, and overall teaching and learning.
I also shared as I do each year, the compared results of the Annual Parent Satisfaction Survey, looking at the last three years of results. We continue to review this information in depth each year
The board has set their calendar for the year and you can find dates on the Public Calendar. More information on board work will be coming and on topic for tonight’s Town Hall. Looking forward to seeing you!
