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As we anticipate the approval of our Richland Two Reopening plan this week (which I fully expect to be approved, even if they want f2f by Sept 15 when I guess the virus spread rate will be way down?), I want to take a minute to shout out the incredible leaders @RichlandTwo
I was one of SEVERAL teachers on the reopening task force. R2 pulled together people across our community: parents (one had subbed, too!), nurses, SPED, arts, DO admin, site admin, operations who regularly spoke into the safety concerns for our custodians and bus drivers
We worked from mid-May through mid-July, using the guidance from Accelerate Ed and DHEC, along with survey data from our parents, teachers, staff, and students. You cannot imagine the number of scenarios we ran. Everything was on the table. We were encouraged to think big.
One of our immediate requests was PAID PD on remote instruction. R2 delivered: our tech teams and Teaching and Learning departments created the PD and teachers were paid to attend this summer. We knew that we could offer quality instruction online if it was necessary.
When we finalized the plan and presented the draft in early July, I breathed a sigh of relief. No plan is perfect, but ours was based on the data. R2's plan prioritized people. As @DrBaronDavis said last week: our goal is to come out of this with EVERY PERSON in tact.
When the state decided to change their minds about plans that didn't immediately include f2f on the same day plans were due, not based on data or lower transmission risks, they undermined the work we did. They undermined the phenomenal work of Accelerate ED.
Our R2 plan doesn't hinge on zero risk-- that's impossible. It phases back our youngest and most vulnerable students AS SOON AS risk moves from high to moderate. There will still be risk, but it will be lower. WE SHOULD ALL BE WORKING TO LIMIT SPREAD SO WE CAN MOVE TO THAT PHASE.
I want to see my students in person. I want sports and activities to resume. I have a senior and an eighth grader-- they are in milestone years. I get it. But I've made it clear to them that it won't be like it was. We are going to make the best of a difficult situation.
If you hope to send your student back to school, start talking about how it will be different. Stop complaining about masks. We'll have enough stress w/o mediating heated convos btw S who says it's a hoax and S who lost family to it. Lead with empathy from home. #careaboutothers
Regardless of what the state dept does, I have never been more grateful to be in a district with leadership that prioritizes its people. Thank you @jamesann_sheley @DrBaronDavis and everyone who served on the @RichlandTwo task force. I appreciate you. Truly #premier.
