First Week Reflections (written by Karen Stone)
BACK TO SCHOOL
While pondering what to write about the first week of school for almost all our K-8 kids, I realized that what stood out for me was gratitude, relief and lots of feelings! I was way more emotional than I anticipated as we walked across the play field with our 7th and 4th graders keenly focused on showing up during their class time windows to support the influx of our students on the first day. I had been feeling so much as I anticipated the first day of in person school and the relief I felt dropping them off at Pathfinder K-8 on Wednesday, September 1st was tremendous. I felt like we had made it through the storm and our community of staff, teachers, families, and the physical school were there to welcome us back. When we picked them up at the end of the day, I got big hugs from my now much bigger kids and tears streamed down my face.
I am on the PTSA executive board this year, because I want to support our community as we transition back to school under new leadership and so much time online and away from each other. I am on the executive board with other parents, Candice, Luna, Tushar, Page, and Lily who all care so much about our community and positive school experiences for our children.
Candice shared so beautifully an experience from last week:
“For us, yesterday was probably the best family day we’ve had in months. Our children have been craving time with their friends and independence (as all of our children have), wanting their own days w/their friends and experiences separate from each other. When we came back together as a family, it was a true connecting moment. The separation, coming back together, sharing details of each of their days, and then they actually played and got along beautifully the rest of the evening. Magical!
Maybe this share from Luna will resonate:
“I actually teared up just from reading the welcome back email from our 3rd grade teacher. It didn’t say anything special – just the deep sense of care and devotion these teachers have to ensuring our kids learn in a safe and welcoming environment – it means so much. Sigh. I’m glad to have the first day over and am anticipating lots of emotions next week when the kindergartner starts.”
Our kids were exhausted this past weekend, which I didn’t anticipate from our older kids. Exhaustion and big feelings abounded and I realized just what a big deal this all really was to return to school. Also, how much we’ve all been living through in different ways and many similar ways during this pandemic. This start to school feels like the first step in learning how to live in person in our school community again as we continue to navigate this pandemic and all the ups and downs and exposures and sickness that will most likely be part of this journey. We are learning to live with COVD while reconnecting as a community to support our students and their families. I am honored to be part of this engaged and caring community that has educated, protected, and nurtured our two children. I look forward to putting up new posters for all the new and current kindergarten families tomorrow morning and seeing the little ones walking into our school building as our oldest first did 7 years ago. Hard to believe he was that little once!
We are stronger together than we are alone. WE GOT THIS!
