There Were Some Bright Spots

Well, it would be safe to assume most of us are pretty happy that 2020 is now behind us, right? With all we have witnessed and experienced, I think we are all ready to turn the page. It's funny though. On January 16, 2020 I mused in my blog post, 'What will be the big stories of our district in 2020?' I then proceeded to suggest how exciting it would be to find out. Uh, not so much. When looking back at my blog archive for 2020, the first two months of the year found me opining on those rather normal and mundane topics that you have come to expect in this column. There was/is a kind of rhythm to it all. First out of the gate: the legislative session. The general assembly begins in January so that gives me plenty of fodder with which to fill the pages of this blog. The year was progressing in a relatively routine fashion throughout January and February. March 3rd was the very first time the coronavirus was mentioned in this weekly missive. From that point on, this blog was all COVID, all the time. Of my 51 posts for 2020, 36 were focused exclusively on the pandemic or were thematically related. But, with all that noise we shouldn't dispute or acknowledge the fact that there were some great things that happened in 2020!

The one 'thing' that happened wasn't so much an event, but rather a feeling. I have always known this community was very supportive of their school district, and never did it become so apparent then when we closed for the year in March, and then the many months that followed. There were parades, lighting up an empty football stadium on Friday nights, Zoom calls, notes, and 'dropping by the house' with a care package. All throughout this most abnormal of years, our community rallied around our school employees: offering them words of encouragement and appreciation. As we stood up a remote educational system on the fly without any real idea how to go about it, the amount of grace given helped us all sleep better at night. At the same time, across this nation I think we all discovered the vital role schools play in our society, fulfilling not just our primary role as educational institutions, but also those things we don't often think about. Feeding our youth comes to mind as one example. Finally, as we undertook the painstaking process of developing policies and procedures for the reopening of our buildings we were afforded great patience by all of you. So the best thing that happened this year? I don't think it would be too much of a stretch to say the first day of school: August 24, 2020! And let's not forget, we were able to remain open all semester long without interruption. 

One of the greatest and most significant events of any school year is graduation day. Oh, what a graduation day we had! It was far different than any commencement we  have ever had, and hopefully will never experience again. For sure, the Class of 2020 had a memorable year. This class missed out on an awful lot. Spring sports, prom, and the thrill of marching into a packed gymnasium to Pomp and Circumstance while parents and grandparents proudly honored them. Their virtual graduation ceremony will live forever on YouTube. In fact, if you haven't had a chance to see it, you can view it right here. In my final words to the Class of 2020 I reminded them that while this is a moment in their lives, it is not and should not be the defining moment. 

This year we also finished up Phase III of the elementary renovation project. While we had hoped to have a grand reopening with a ribbon cutting and open house, the pandemic had other plans. We didn't get to have that opening, but we did finish the project on time and within budget. One can't discount the fact this was the first major construction project undertaken by the school district since the construction of the high school over 20 years ago. With a project budget of just over $5.1 million, we were able to update all our instructional spaces and HVAC systems (which proved to be very timely), with the centerpiece being the expanded commons and ADA accessible competition gym from both the north and south entrances. 

Hopefully you are able to find some bright spots in 2020 as you reflect on the year that was and look forward to a 2021 that is filled with hope and optimism!