Sometimes I come across a piece of information and cannot wait to put it somewhere for folks to use. I was sent a link today to a website called schoolclosures.org and my mind was blown! The sheer volume of information - that can be used nationwide - was awesome. They even have a hotline to assist you with technology AND a link for Spanish speakers. Will it fulfill every need that a family has? Nope. But it does have a lot of information that can support you as we walk down this super wacky time.
As most of us know, the governor of Oregon announced that brick and mortar schools are closed for the rest of the school year. I won't lie, I broke down and cried. I cried for my students. I cried for my colleagues. I cried for my parents. I cried for my own children. This has been one of the most challenging things that any of us have faced in our lifetime. Not only the loss of so many things that we are able to do on a daily basis, but for so many a loss of rites of passage. Seniors graduating from high school. Going to prom. Going to outdoor school. Having your 5th grade promotion. Having your end of kindergarten celebration. 8th grade promotion. End of year parties. And so much more. School is not just a place where children go to learn, it's where they go to grow. It's where families send their kids 8 hours a day to be loved and cared for - that is true for ALL kids. I grieve with you as we move forward during this time. I grieve as an educator and I grieve as a mom. And I am okay in that grief. This will pass, and in the moments where it seems so hard I allow myself to feel those things.
If you have spent any time in my office, or looked at my left arm, you will know that Brené Brown is one of my most important teachers. Her words inspire me to do more and do better. They lift me up when I am feeling low. They teach me how to be a better me so I can be a better mom, counselor, wife, daughter, sister, friend. Here is what she said when the nation started going into lockdown:
As most of us know, the governor of Oregon announced that brick and mortar schools are closed for the rest of the school year. I won't lie, I broke down and cried. I cried for my students. I cried for my colleagues. I cried for my parents. I cried for my own children. This has been one of the most challenging things that any of us have faced in our lifetime. Not only the loss of so many things that we are able to do on a daily basis, but for so many a loss of rites of passage. Seniors graduating from high school. Going to prom. Going to outdoor school. Having your 5th grade promotion. Having your end of kindergarten celebration. 8th grade promotion. End of year parties. And so much more. School is not just a place where children go to learn, it's where they go to grow. It's where families send their kids 8 hours a day to be loved and cared for - that is true for ALL kids. I grieve with you as we move forward during this time. I grieve as an educator and I grieve as a mom. And I am okay in that grief. This will pass, and in the moments where it seems so hard I allow myself to feel those things.
If you have spent any time in my office, or looked at my left arm, you will know that Brené Brown is one of my most important teachers. Her words inspire me to do more and do better. They lift me up when I am feeling low. They teach me how to be a better me so I can be a better mom, counselor, wife, daughter, sister, friend. Here is what she said when the nation started going into lockdown:
I've read this to my own children, and re-read it often. The piece we go back to every time is "We don't have to be scary when we're scared. Let's choose to be awkward, brave, and kind.
May each of you find your braveness & awkwardness today as we move through these scary times together.
May each of you find your braveness & awkwardness today as we move through these scary times together.
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