We’ve entered our fourth day of school and, all things considered, we’re off to a good start. We have many wonderful new families, along with our wide range of returning families. It’s been a delightful experience to see our students back in person who have been at home for the past fifteen months. Additionally, it makes me happy to welcome parents in the building after a year of outdoor morning check-ins.
It’s our 45th year. We move into it after a most remarkable 44th year, one we navigated as a school with perseverance and dedication to making our school a safe place for all. As we’ve re-opened for this new school year, we’ve received countless compliments about how we’ve handled the pandemic. We intend to keep that going.
It’s a challenging and confusing time. There are ongoing developments with the Delta variant, masking policies, vaccinations, and politics around re-opening of schools. For a medical perspective on masking from one of our Seed parents and board members, check out this link. I’m deeply concerned about negative impacts on children who have been isolated in the past fifteen months. Added to that are alarming concerns over the effects of climate change—wildfires, communities being displaced by the rising sea level, and violent, destructive weather. As I’ve written numerous times in the past, I’m also incredibly troubled about all the layers of social injustice. I continue to educate myself about such matters, and the more I learn, the more I feel the responsibility to be a part of the necessary change. It’s overwhelming, to say the least.
When the burden starts to feel more than I think I can handle, I bring myself back to what’s happening at the Seed. It feels like ground zero of what is true and going well in the world. Even though we’re still in the throes of settling in to a new year, it inspires me to see teachers patiently guiding students through daily procedures and establishing routines. I hear them giving guidance on what to say and do when a child needs help. Throughout the school, colorful art work is appearing on the walls, and teachers are engaging students in discussions and conversations. It’s a slow process, and we’re moving forward.
Being present to each moment, each day, keeps me focused and able to do the work before me. I care deeply about the injustices of the world, and wish I could do more to move things closer to equity. In the days ahead, I’ll stay on my path, doing everything I can to support our staff in their most excellent work. It’s good for the Seed, and good for the planet.