Back To School Covid Style- Observations From A School Secretary

Typically, fall would be full of the familiar routine that goes along with preparing our boys for the start of school. But as we all know, not much about this year has been typical, familiar, or routine. For the first time since 2000, we will not have anyone attending school this year. This is less about the pandemic and more about the fact that they both have completed the formal education needed to pursue full-time careers, Kellan in college baseball and Owen in the fire service. Although this is a milestone that will move them closer to a life independent of us, I welcome it given the challenges this year will bring.

Let me first say; this post is not about taking sides, placing blame, or defending my own opinions. It is simply about sharing a few of my observations from my unique position as a school secretary. Working in a school office has given me a front-row seat to what has taken place during the past few months, and one thing I can say for certain, it's been hard on everyone.

I watched school administrators who have worked tirelessly to build a plan to get our students back to learning again. They have done this with no blueprint or prototype. They have done this with data that is continually changing and not always 100% reliable. They have done this by trying to find a compromise between what is optimal and what is obtainable while attempting to meet thousands of students' needs.

I have talked with parents who are unsure about where and how to send their kids to school. They are concerned about the virus and the long term effects this may have on their child's educational and emotional well being. They are overwhelmed by the idea of juggling remote and hybrid schedules while still fulfilling their responsibilities at work.

I have seen administrators, teachers, and school staff members working harder, longer, and with higher stress levels than ever before. Many of them have had to rethink, rework, and relearn almost everything they know about their jobs. They are dedicated and caring professionals that want to be prepared for their students, so they do what they need to do.

I have followed groups fighting for the return of sports, music, theatre, and other school activities. For some students, these activities are the driving force and saving grace within the school day. They are the reason they come to school at all, and without them, they find it harder to stay engaged.

I've watched kids riding bikes along the front sidewalk or peaking in the office window; they are eager to be back in school with the teachers and friends they have missed so much. 

Everyone is dealing with so much change and uncertainty right now, and neither of those makes us feel very good. But I know we will get through this because, in the days and months ahead, I will see this...

• I will see grace extended to those who need it, including ourselves.
• I will see levels of patience and flexibility we didn't know where possible. 
• I will see expectations being met and exceeded.
• I will see cooperation and teamwork like no other year before
• I will see adults who are brave enough to set aside their fears and uncertainties and courageously show up each day. 
• I will see people learn to focus on the things they can control and let go of what they can't.
• I will see everyone trying each day to do their very best.

Tomorrow we welcome our students back after 192 days away from school. They will be met with the smiling eyes and masked covered grins of our staff whose excitement and resilience will not be dampened by the situation's uncertainty. There are bound to be roadblocks and detours along the way, as we navigate this unchartered path. But I am confident that when May rolls around, and we have made it through, we will look back with pride at what we accomplished together. 

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