Day 6: Compass Newsletter

Day 6: Compass Newsletter

     It's amazing how time passes when you think you don't have that much to do. Luckily I remembered today was newsletter day, so I got that done before going out to ski (the best of social distancing sports). Seeing how hard it can be to keep up with the blog daily, I think I will copy my newsletter introduction here, as my inner compass is leading me to listen to the news and call it the end of my "work day," such as it is.

Getting Remote Learning off the Ground

First off, I hope all are well and adjusting to our current reality. 

There seems to be a couple schools of perspective on responding to the pandemic: one relates to slowing down, taking things as they come, and finding acceptance. The other perspective is to acknowledge how stressful these times can be and to know that is okay and "normal" (when all else is not normal). I guess you can hold both simultaneously and maybe both are similar in affirming whatever you're feeling is okay.

There’s endless advice being provided on the internet for how to be supportive in your family, how to spend time, about resources for on-line learning, and how else to respond to these unusual times. I don’t want to add to this glut too much (although I am more than happy to communicate directly with you if you email me). My main advice, beyond following the advice of our state public health officials who seem to be doing an admirable job, is that the best way to be supportive of your child is to validate their feelings, whatever they may be, let them know they are heard and understood (but we all need to do what’s best for public health), and help them schedule time so that they can delineate time for required activities (such as school work in reasonable chunks that make sense for your child) and time for recreation, exercise, entertainment, socializing, etc. 

Students and parents should have gotten a well organized overview of remote learning plans from advisors that was sent last Friday. I know these may look long to some children of the modern era and so may get ignored. Please be sure to read this yourself and sit down with your child to go through the document. There is a lot of essential information there and teachers worked hard to organize it to be as comprehensive and clear as possible. 

We are encouraged by the first few days of students’ engagement with remote learning. It seems a majority of kids are diving into this and connecting with the work, their peers and their teachers. It’s great to hear from kids and see their work. Most advisories are arranging for regular video meetings and I think that is an important place to connect. A few students have not been in contact and it is ESSENTIAL we get them connected. Teachers or advisors will be calling parents of students we haven’t heard from. In addition to keeping up with school learning, we think it is crucial for students’ health and well-being that they are plugged into school and in touch with the work and their teachers and peers. 

I can’t express how appreciative of how well positioned we at Compass are for this unprecedented and sudden alteration in our lives.  There are countless ways we have developed individual and organizational capacity to respond to unexpected challenges. Most of all, we have incredible educators who we have always hired as “models of lives well lived.” To see how they respond and work together with positive energy, intelligence, enthusiasm, compassion, creativity, and yes, humor, is extraordinary. 

Be patient, be kind and remember, the sun is always shining even if sometimes hidden by the clouds.