Principal's Message from Mar. 4
I have started this newsletter about 5 different ways and have deleted every opening sentence. I figured I would start with this opener just to get me started so I could complete this before Spring Break. I guess what I am saying in a “nutshell” is that being speechless is not usually a trait I would label myself with. How do you possibly summarize this past year? I will give it a go……
The past year has brought many successes, challenges, opportunities for reflection and thanks. As a school community, we moved from: regular instruction, to on-line learning, to day camps, A and B School, staggered lunch/recess/drop-off/pick up, transition school, combined classes, and then January start up for about 40 students and 16 still currently on-line. To say we have persevered would be an understatement as this list could be more exhaustive if I listed everything we have learned to do and change in a very short amount of time.
What have we learned from all of this? We have learned how strong our school, parents, staff, community, and students are. We stuck together by using safety measures and to the best of our ability, our kindness and calm. To achieve this, we have all been challenged to make things as best and safe as possible for staff and students. A few of the analogies or statements I have used with staff could be summarized as:
- “Work slow to work fast.”
- “Let’s slow it down, we have nothing but time.”
- “It may be messy, it won’t be perfect and that’s ok.”
- “We have to laugh and we have to cry.”
- “Don’t apologize for being human, it is ok to be tired, exhausted, and not always in a great mood.”
- “Take care of yourself and then your family. You will be no good to them if you aren’t taking care of yourself.”
- “It is ok to make mistakes, perfection during right now isn’t possible (or ever).”
- “You can do it!”
- “It is what it is.”
To summarize, we as a school community have much to celebrate. While things may not change before now and the end of the school year, we know that we have done it well and to the best of our ability! I thank everyone supporting each other as this is what allows a true “team” to function effectively. When you are a “team,” it is endless what you can accomplish together…..we have proved that……check!
I wish everyone a healthy, safe, calm, and restful Spring Break as it is much deserved. Continue to take the time to take care of yourselves, spend some quality family time, and “smell the roses” as we are truly fortunate to live and work in this fabulous community.
Ryan Colbert, Principal, Auguston Traditional Elementary