“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 

-from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings

When we look over the past ten months, one quickly recognizes that our collective world has been presented with many challenges on multiple fronts (e.g. politically, socially, educationally, health & safety, etc.).  Those challenges have been unprecedented, and when people become seemingly “pressed” from multiple sides, it certainly makes sense that our core biological responses are triggered or activated. We are pushed into a state of  flight, fight or freeze. During these times it becomes difficult to get yourself “unstuck” and far too easy to remain in a frame of mind that is negative. Be good to yourself and try not to do that.

As a school superintendent, I will tell you that while the job is always challenging, my colleagues and I often talk about how we’ve entered into a new realm. There isn’t a class nor a book that can prepare oneself for leadership through a pandemic. While the school superintendency is often riddled with being second guessed, we are now often reserved to the fact that big decisions will leave 50% of our constituents pleased and 50% with displeasure and sometimes anger. 

I find it helpful; almost therapeutic– to write and reflect during difficult times. It helps me think and clarify my thoughts. Within this short piece my hope is to provide some evidence that even during one of the most troubling times in education, there is excellence and resiliency.  In addition, while learning certainly looks different at this time, everyone needs to recognize that it is happening–with or without a typical school experience. And…it happens for adults as well. It has often been said that experience is the best teacher and when you’re operating in a time that is as unique as it gets, it seems as though I’m learning new things almost every minute. 

It is somewhat difficult to find the sun through the clouds these days, but nevertheless it is important to find moments of triumph, positivity and resilience so that we can remind ourselves that excellence can, and does occur within a pandemic, and that there will indeed be a post-COVID19 future.  There will come a time when we look back and say, “look what we did…, remember how it used to be…, etc.” Recently, I solicited positive stories from parents and staff members. Listed below are some of the thankful moments from the lives of students, staff and parents. While it is paradoxical to remember that in the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity; 2020 will always serve as our generation’s case-in-point. 

“Courage Merry…courage for our friends.”

-Eowyn, from Tolkien’s The Return of the King

Listed below in no particular order are moments of strength, thanks, courage and brief stories of gratitude.

“If I had one holiday wish…I would wish for there to be no more coronavirus.  Then we wouldn’t have to quarantine anymore, then we wouldn’t have to wear masks anymore, then we wouldn’t have to social distance anymore, and then we would be back to school every day and having fun together!  I believe that’ll happen one day.  I have hope.” -Shared by an OFCS Teacher

One day during the Falls Lenox lunch line rush, I was serving a teacher some soup and she commented on a child’s beautiful natural red hair. The child smiled and the teacher then said her own hair is boring brown and sometimes even grey. We laughed but the child said “At least you still have hair!” and we all smiled and commented what a great outlook and positive point that was from the child. -Shared by an OFCS staff member

The OFHS Class of 2021 is rising to the challenge and adapting to the new normal. This class explored institutions of higher education through virtual tours, virtual college fairs and virtual visits (many that were held through Naviance). Most seniors had to make decisions about whether or not to submit ACT or SAT scores as part of the more widely used and sometimes confusing test-optional policies. In November, The Common Application reported there was an 8% decline nationally in applications from the previous year and 60% of the 921 colleges that are a part of the Common Application are seeing a decline in applications. I am very proud of our seniors because they are pushing forward with their post high school plans and seeing that there is indeed a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. They are making good decisions based on their educational and career plans. -Shared by an OFHS staff member

Dr. Lloyd and Ms. Williams: Mrs. Kostraba has managed to make this weird year “fun” (amazing right), has done an amazing job putting together learning menus for hybrid days and has clearly spent an incredible amount of time putting together material that makes this easier on us parents. ~Shared by a grateful parent 

The district launched a new program this year at the high school called the Fundamentals Program. The purpose of the program was to provide a supportive learning environment for students that do not thrive within a traditional school model.  From School Counselor Carlos Rivera–The program’s success can be attributed to two factors. First, the online platform (Edmentum) is flexible, and even when OFCSD went all remote, our students were extremely successful and were able to still get their needs met. Second, our 2 teachers, the administration, and I have built personal relationships with the students. Here are testimonials from students in the program:

Alan ¨Better than in-person learning.¨

Mumin – ¨Great program made me a better student¨

Sophia – ¨I truly enjoy this program, I have never been more motivated to complete my classes. The edmentum program is very easy to navigate, and it’s well organized which doesn’t make me feel overwhelmed with the work I have to do. I also really love the environment Mr. E has created for the students in his classroom. It’s a very good balance of being able to get work done while also being able to enjoy my time at school. Not to mention all the teachers involved in the fundamentals program are such kind, genuine, and supportive people who I know want the best for their students and will do anything in their power to help them reach their goals.¨

Isiah- ¨It´s great selective learning.¨

David- ¨It´s the only reason I am going to graduate.¨

Joey ¨It’s really helpful honestly I wouldn’t be where i am right now if it wasn’t for edmentum.¨

-shared by Mr. Rivera at OFHS

I have the opportunity to work with the IT department When we briefly went  remote. When I told my children what I was going to be doing they all laughed at me. No big surprise there since they are my go to when I have Tech problems. I can tell you I was nervous since it certainly has never been a strong suit of mine. Nevertheless I was up for the challenge. I was able to get myself through a power wash so that if and when it came time to help one of the students I could appear to know what I’m doing. Without any help I was able to do so and quite honestly, was quite proud of myself. Sure enough the very next day my first phone call of the morning I had to get a student through a power wash. The student and I were successful to get his computer up and running. I guess It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. -Shared by an OFCS Staff Member who has pitched in and learned something new

Dr.  Lloyd, Thank you for never giving up. -Sent by a parent to the superintendent

The point is that our kids love school, even in 2020, and I know that at the core, that’s because you have and are an amazing staff with hearts to serve and do right whatever school needs to look like. None of these amazing teachers have ever taught nor administrators guided education in this way before, and all are above and beyond still getting to know our kids on a personal level, taking care of their specific hearts and needs, and pushing them individually to be their best in all the right ways. We are so blessed to be here in Olmsted Falls, and we are so thankful for all of you.  -From a parent with children at the ECC & Falls-Lenox

I wanted to share a brief story about something “good” that has come out of this pandemic. My daughter struggled in the spring with remote learning. It was really difficult for her to stay engaged or to muster any interest in her grades or in finishing work. None of it mattered to her. It was heartbreaking to see a really bright, creative, funny, sweet kid just retreat into herself and give up. This year, having two days a week of “in-person” school has made all of the difference. She gets up early on her in-person days and is unusually positive about going to school. She has discovered a love for painting, and her art teacher, Mrs. West, has gone out of her way to encourage my daughter. She knew that the remote days/weeks would limit the ability of my daughter to have the supplies she needed to paint, so she encouraged her to come up to the school to get some extra supplies that she could use to paint- for the love of creating the artwork. Not for an assignment or a grade…just because painting was important to my daughter and Mrs. West saw her potential. It’s made a huge difference in her emotional well-being. We are grateful.  -from a parent of a student at OFHS

Miss Simpson has lessons that are engaging, age appropriate,  lively, and she is very organized! She has so much energy in her live sessions-  that is it is contagious!  As an educator, I admire her use of technology and organization, and enthusiasm.   As a parent, I am so happy to have her as my son’s teacher.  George loves logging in for school and is very happy with his first real school experience.  His favorite part of the week is her “lunch bunches”, where the kids log in during lunch time and chat and eat their lunches together virtually.  It was such a hit, that Miss Simpson now does this twice a week.  -From a parent who has a student in a full remote learning pathway

Look for stories of hope, resilience and courage in your household and place of employment. They’re there. Hope everyone continues to hang in there despite the difficulty.

Season’s Greetings!

Sincerely,
Jim