Principal's Corner - 1.13.22
As we passed the one-year anniversary of the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 20921, it got me thinking about how we, as educators, handle challenging topics. There seems to be divisiveness clouding every issue these days, including the subjects of vaccines, masks, and the teaching of history, so it felt important to reiterate that when we talk with the students about current or historical events, which is an important part of the school experience, the teachers do so in a non-partisan, objective, fact-based, and developmentally appropriate way, regardless of how they may feel about a particular issue. Some families may feel we say too little, some may feel we say too much. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's teachers or to me if you have questions, concerns, or kudos about what is going on in your student's classroom. I've included a link to a page of recommendations for "Strategies for Respectful Classroom Discussions of Tough Topics" so you can see how some of us approach challenging issues with students. I'm interested in your feedback. https://www.waterford.org/educ...
Though we had another COVID case at the school last week, it has so far remained isolated due to the work the staff and families are doing. The test-and-stay program continues to allow us to keep learning in-person. We will continue to follow the guidelines from the state and the Rowe Board of Health to make sure we are keeping our students and staff as safe as possible.
Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so there will be no school. The following week, Report Cards will be coming home. More on this next week.