Weekend Thoughts!

Hello everyone,

Over the past week, I am sure our actions, behaviors, and feelings have changed dramatically due to the spread of the virus, we affectionately have come to know as COVID-19.  We may also have needed to do things this past week that we may not have thought of previously doing.  I know that I never thought I would be asked to review a ‘pandemic plan’, promote ‘social distancing’ to assist in slowing ‘community spread’, and close school down for four weeks.  The closure that we are currently navigating is ‘unprecedented’ and believe me, we are working to identify many ‘novel’ ideas to promote and provide learning, as ‘isolation’ and ‘quarantine’ may be on the horizon, as we are in a ‘fluid situation’.

Well, I tried to unplug from using the terms that have now become part of many newscasts and conversations, but instead I decided to embrace them, but I assure you I will do my best to not to use them again, I promise!

In this moment, I would wager that the events facing our world, nation, state, and community are making many of us nervous and maybe even fearful.  These feelings are natural responses when we are faced with the unknown and uncertainty surrounds us.  These feelings, I would predict, may even increase as events move closer and closer to us. Now, if we allow these feelings to grip us, over the upcoming weeks, times will become even more difficult and individuals will begin to struggle more than ever.

As I take time to reflect my thoughts often move towards identifying actions that I can take to help others?  The following are just a few things that come to mind. I am sure you have many, too, and would be able to add to my short list, but here I go:

·      Stay at home, when possible.

o   I understand that the illness will spread and I understand that many will be able to overcome this illness quickly and with very few symptoms. Others, though, may have a more difficult time and I can help reduce additional infections by staying home and not becoming infected or not spreading the infection to others.  This may mean self-isolating or quarantining, if you have been exposed or infected.

·      Check in on others.

o   Find out how my neighbors are doing.

o   What am I able to do for them to help promote their health during this time?

§  It is okay to step back from the door to create space, as we check on others.

·      Stay in touch!

o   We are not alone in this fight!

§  Understanding this encourages me to reach out, even though I may not be able to do so physically, I should reach out by phone or with the use of technologies available to me, as these events will be important to meet the social needs that we all require.

·      Be Respectful of Others:

o   We should always think of others.  However, during this time, it is more important than ever.

Together, we will get through this, but we must all do our part.

I encourage you to continue to check our school website for updates and as we continue to answer questions that arise.  We will do our best to provide information in a timely manner, while not overwhelming everyone. I hope you understand.

Stay Safe and Stay Healthy,

Darin Jones