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From the Head of School: Preparing for the Week Ahead
Greetings from Trinity!
I am looking forward to our very first Virtual Morning Meeting on Monday, March 23. As we prepare for the coming week, please keep the following important things in mind as we all rise to meet this challenge.
First, the campus is closed. This is in the interest of public safety and by the governor’s orders. All fields and facilities are closed until we are permitted to re-open. We will approach this decision-making process in two-week increments. Our next decision point will be this week and in consultation with what the governor outlines for schools. Iconic events that students look forward to such as Prom and Senior Chapel will be likely rolled back and rescheduled. As those dates are determined, we will communicate our new plans.
Secondly, as we step into a new way of learning together, think about what you can do to create a positive classroom environment with your fellow students and teachers — one that maintains a serious climate of learning for all. Parents: please help your students to set up an appropriate academic space for distance learning.
Your teachers and our staff have been hard at work to create continuity for our many programs. I’m very proud of everything they have accomplished. As you look at your own approach to distance learning, focus on the essentials.
On Monday, March 23, we have our first Morning Meeting. In this meeting, I will reiterate a few key points, and a number of other staff members will share with you how we will continue with elements of school life.
As we begin our distance learning - there are a number of important to do’s:
- Please take a moment to review the Student Conduct Guidelines for Distance Learning. Please also refer to these infographics, created by Ms. Bartz:
- Create an appropriate academic space at home.
- Be on time to Morning Meeting and classes.
- Know that teachers are focused on instruction and depend upon you to do what we do best, create a positive classroom environment together.
- Teachers want to teach not be police, so please know when it is appropriate to have a little fun and when the distraction to others creates a situation that will warrant intervention from student conduct.
- Remember, the focus needs to be on the instructor. While teachers are not there to police dress code, know that we expect you to be appropriate to the teaching environment. It is not a good use of time for a teacher to have to take time out to tell a student something this basic.
Thirdly, we recognize that this has been an extremely stressful and uncertain time for many of you and your families. Our nation is in a state of emergency and needs everyone on the same page.
Look for the big picture. All of our efforts to date are on “flattening the infection curve” so that health care workers will be able to tend to the sick, not just from COVID-19 but also the routine illnesses that will still occur on a daily basis and need the expertise of health care workers. We have learned from other countries what can happen if hospitals go over capacity. I advise you to stay home and limit contact with others. This can truly make a difference and is our important contribution and a responsibility of being part of a larger community!
Know that we are all in this together, we will get through it and be stronger as a result. Look for ways to help others — grow stronger yourself — and find moments of gratitude present in each day.
Brian Griffen, school chaplain, has published a message on our website that can help us keep us in tune with our Episcopal Identity as a school. I encourage you all to to read it, along with some resources about maintaining self care during these stressful times that Mallory Ballard, school counselor, has shared.
Lastly, as I said when many of you came to pick up essential materials, we miss you!
See you tomorrow at Morning Meeting!
-Rob Short
Head of School
Trinity Episcopal School
3850 PITTAWAY DR | RICHMOND VA 23235-1099 | Phone: 804.272.5864 | Fax: 804.272.5865 Email: mail@trinityes.org
