Good Morning Community,
This weekend we all moved slowly and enjoyed not having a lot on our agendas. This is one of my favorite times of the year! I love spending my weekends cooking sauces, stews and soups for the week ahead. The aromas linger through the house to create a warm and cozy feeling for these colder days and evenings.
We have some wonderful news to share with you. We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Sam (kindergarten teacher) gave birth to her son, Wyatt on October 29th. Both baby and mom are doing great! Welcome Wyatt!
On Thursday and Friday the colder temperatures and snow forced teaching and learning inside. Everyone did an excellent job following the COVID related procedures in order to maintain the health and safety of everyone. The district has rented the tents until Thanksgiving weekend and when the students return from break, if the weather cooperates the students will spend as much of the day outside as possible~ including during snack and lunch times. Please be sure to send your child with all the appropriate warm gear for outside.
In addition to the tremendous challenges presented by the COVID virus, the highly charged political climate in our country can have a significant impact on our students, our small school, and the educational process. Elections at the state and federal levels, as well as the complex issues related to racial injustice, can be very polarizing and often lead to heated discussions. This year in particular, with so many members of our community feeling the anxiety and strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must be more vigilant than ever about creating a school culture rooted in empathy and support.
In this political environment, the stakes are high and many of us are deeply passionate about the issues at hand. In a community composed of people with different viewpoints, we will undoubtedly encounter neighbors and colleagues whose opinions may not only be different from ours, but may even seem offensive, prejudicial, and out-of-step with the values of our school community. As objectionable as we may find another person’s viewpoints, it does not negate our responsibility to maintain safe, civil learning environments focused on students’ academic growth and social-emotional well-being.
I am truly grateful to the members of this community for demonstrating kindness, compassion, and decency during these incredibly challenging times.
Below are some friendly reminders and dates for you to put on your calendar.
- Parent / Teacher Conferences: November 4, 5, and 6th are all ½ days with a noon dismissal.
- Veterans Day is November 11, 2020: NO SCHOOL
- School Committee: November 12 @ 6:30
- Thanksgiving Break: November 25th noon dismissal.
- School pictures have been postponed until the spring. Stay tuned.
- Please continue to send your child prepared to learn outdoors. Last week we had two days of crummy weather and this week looks promising. When the weather permits we will be teaching and learning outside.
Warmly,
Gretchen
Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org