These are extraordinary times for us as a society, community, and school. We’ve all been “looking for the helpers” (like Mr. Rogers), and hanging in there the best we can as we witness the true spirit of our community. I am inspired by so many people who are adapting and taking on new challenges they never imagined. Our food service team has simply been amazing in packaging meals and handing them out to our students. Just this week, 9,000 meals were provided for 900 students. Also, our building administrators and counselors have stepped up to develop new systems of support by checking in with staff, teams, and students, to ensure that they are getting what they need. Inspirational messages from Jessica Brown (Character Education) and virtual nurture groups led by Amy Tucker (Behavior Specialist), are other examples of people taking care of people. Our technology department has simply been rock stars in keeping students and staff connected. What can I say about our teachers? They have been working hard to provide the best learning opportunities possible, and while MV may have been better prepared for eLearning than many other districts, no one was prepared for this level of ongoing remote learning. The work that they have done is simply heroic.
I’m sure that there are many that I am missing, but I couldn’t be more proud of the Marauder community. It is heartening that in a society that has become more polarized, we see so many people sharing genuine concern for one another. What we are doing to stay put and shelter is not as much for our own good as it is for the good of others. To see so many people take up that mantle, and to demonstrate sincere concern for others is amazing. It is times like these that we see the true strength in our community as we rise above our own individual concerns. I am convinced that we will be a better society, an improved community, and more caring individuals when this is all over. I’ll leave you with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
NEW! Virtual "Traveling Talks"
I am looking forward to continuing my "Traveling Talks" and invite you to join me in casual conversation about the future of Mt. Vernon Schools. While we will be using a virtual platform to meet, I don’t doubt that our time together will be engaging. Ask any questions you like. Register for one of our two meetings by clicking the dates below. For more information, click HERE. I look forward to seeing you on my screen soon!
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Many teachers can remember their first year when they developed ideas to impart knowledge to their students. It was extremely labor intensive. It became easier in the following years as teachers learned more ways to develop instruction and tie those strategies to student learning. What many teachers are doing now is much like their first year of teaching. Designing new lessons that can be delivered digitally takes an enormous amount of time. Not being physically with the student as he/she clicks on activities to do on their own is so difficult for teachers. Are they understanding what was provided? What questions do they have? Do they have the support at home to push through challenges?
Like Harper Lee wrote in her famous book, parents and guardians are getting a glimpse of what it is like to be a teacher. I am delighted to see that many are understanding just a little bit more about all the talents it takes to be a teacher.
I am thankful that fewer will take for granted what teachers do for our children and our families. We need to keep this going! For now I will simply say that our Mt. Vernon teachers have my gratitude and deep appreciation for what they do every day. Our teachers are amazing artists and scientists. I thank them for being a big part of MVCSC and also for their powerful influence in the lives of our students. Please help me recognize our teachers next week during Teacher Appreciation Week with a kind note or expression of gratitude. Staff, we will host an ice cream sundae bar to celebrate YOU as soon as we are able to be back in the buildings.
A Message for our MVHS Class of 2020
We take joy in the success of our seniors who have spent thirteen years learning and growing in our schools. The pride we have in our students knows no bounds. As their time in our schools comes to an end, we lament how this pandemic has impacted many of their celebrations. I am excited to learn what Principal Dodd and his team designs for a commencement ceremony as he works to finish conversations with our graduating seniors.
While we’re sad with the many losses in culminating experiences, these times will not define our seniors. We will all get through this pandemic and our seniors will move on to other ventures. However, that doesn’t mean that our hearts don’t go out to them for their loss. We will always remember the class of 2020 fondly and with respect for how our seniors have stepped up and handled this very difficult situation. For now, I challenge our seniors to have the best reunions of any graduating class ever! Let the class of 2020 write the book on how to support one another and to stay connected throughout their future years. Congratulations to our seniors on their wonderful accomplishments.
Since I came to Mt. Vernon in January of 2019, one of the concerns I heard from teachers and staff was the difficulties of our Delayed Start Wednesdays. Through months of conversations with parents at my “Traveling Talks” events and our Virtual Town Hall Meetings, we have discussed the challenges facing us during our Delayed Start Wednesdays. With that, we learned the majority of the parents prefer an early release over a delayed start. I am thankful that the board supported the principals’ recommendation to keep students home during our staff Professional Learning Community (PLC) time. Thus, we will implement a 45 minute Early Release Wednesday beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. For details, please click HERE.
JackParkerBlog.com
I have developed a personal blog to share my insights and beliefs of education, students, learning, and leadership. Take a look if you have a minute.
Sincerely,
Follow us!
Facebook.com/MtVernonSchoolDistrict
MVCSC, 1806 W. State Road 234, Fortville, IN 46040 ~ (317) 485-3100