I am constantly reminded about the resiliency of our students. Each day they come to school with a positive mindset, a willingness to be flexible, and the skills to adapt to this COVID-19 learning environment. Prior to the start of school, I wondered how students would be able to navigate all of the processes and procedures required to keep all of them safe. However, on that first day of school I was immediately reminded that, “we should never underestimate our students!”
As much as our school day is different as a result of COVID-19, there are many things that are the same. I spent the last few weeks looking for evidence of our students engaged in learning, play, and being part of our community. I observed many examples of our students demonstrating their resilience, kindness, and positivity.
Although on the surface school seems so different, my observations reminded me that our students still engage in being creative during Art, Music, and Physical Education classes:
Our students still have breakfast and lunch, but this happens in our classrooms. We wear our masks and wash our hands often:
We still have Morning Meeting, engage in wellness, mindfulness, and have classroom celebrations for demonstrating our school wide expectations:
Our students still engage in Literacy, Math, STEM/SS:
We still go outside for recess and enjoy winter time in Vermont:
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Finally we practice kindness and having a positive growth mindset so we can persevere through hard times. Even when we must learn remotely, our community adapts to this challenge.
I am so proud of our students, our staff, and our community for continuing to be flexible, supportive, resilient, and strong. The experience of navigating COVID-19 constantly reminds me that “we should never underestimate our students!”
Be well.
Thomas Walsh is currently the Principal of BFA Fairfax Elementary School and is a regular contributor to THE FWSU STORY.
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