Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft,
With week one of distance learning nearly complete, it’s almost unfathomable to me that it’s been four weeks since our kids have had a normal school day. That’s four weeks that all of you have been dealing with an abrupt and extreme loss of normalcy, much of which has also brought both financial and health stress with it.
We had two weeks of planning and a break in between and your team of educators started this week - partly enthusiastic and partly terrified - not knowing how our kids and their families would respond. Four days in, I can assure you of a few things:
- The passion of our educators - teachers, EAs, administrators, support staff - to do distance learning well is palpable - even via Zoom. Listening to teachers rave about what’s working and lament what isn’t, I’m struck by the consistency of commitment.
- The capacity of our community to be patient and supportive is tremendous. So many of you have told so many of us that you appreciate our efforts. Even the critical messages are couched in gratitude. In the moments of discouragement, this means so much.
- We are monitoring and we will adjust. If you haven’t already, please share your feedback with us so that our picture of what you and your children are experiencing is as complete and accurate as possible. You can do that here.
Please also know that the same patience and care that you have extended to us goes both ways. We at school know that these are hard days to be parents, so be kind to yourselves as you manage your end of distance learning.
In closing, whether your worries are more incidental or more existential, please know that we at school are thinking of you and are wishing you strength and patience, wisdom and luck as you endure these days.
Mit solidarischem Gruß
Ted Anderson
Executive Director
8th & 9th grade parent
