Woof - 11 June 2020

I read with concern the Mayor’s statement about his experience testing positive for COVID-19, and was relieved to hear that he is recovering. Yesterday, data came out about spikes in cases of coronavirus & hospitalizations in states that had reopened more quickly than Governor Baker’s phased outline for Massachusetts. While we appreciate leaders who make difficult decisions based on good information and reliable evidence in an effort to keep us all safe, the effort to stay healthy starts with every individual taking personal responsibility. Although we are all eager to put the disruption and threat of pandemic behind us, please continue to practice safety measures. Whether you’re dining out (al fresco!), heading to the beach, or expressing yourself at a peaceful protest, please keep socially distancing from people outside “your circle” or mask up when you can’t. We want all our Bulldogs to stay safe while you stay active, and we especially worry about the extended South family who are on the front lines: working in hospitals, grocery & retail stores, restaurants, and all our first responders in Police, Fire, and EMT. Stay safe, and help keep everyone healthy!

 

REMOTE LEARNING:

The final week of assignments has been released to students! We’re almost there!

• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Lightning Bolts
• Navigators
• Grade 8

Attached is a copy of the schedule for teachers’ Meet sessions. This is not an exhaustive list, so some classes may have Meet sessions scheduled at other times, but I thought this might be helpful for guardians trying to help schedule your child(ren)’s week. Check each teacher’s Classroom page or email them for the code to join each Meet session (it’s not safe for me to post the codes publicly).

 

END-OF-YEAR EVENTS:

A separate email will be sent with information about activities to close out the school year. Students want to clean out their lockers; 8^th graders deserve special recognition; people want to pick up Yearbooks.  I understand, believe me.  I am trying to coordinate recognition events with teachers & staff while also ensuring safety procedures that will not cause South to become a super-spreader!  Please bear with me and look for comprehensive communication of these details tonight or tomorrow.

STARTING CONVERSATIONS:

I also want to thank all the parents, guardians, and other community members who reached out to personally express your support for South Middle School’s Black students and students & staff of color in the past week. Many of you expressed hope that the school system would help to actively address and root out examples of systemic racism wherever we encounter them. To that end, I am including some resources for families to use in our shared responsibility to end racism.

• Watch: Trevor Noah posted a reflection video on The Daily Show YouTube channel – the South African host discusses recent events with an outsider’s perspective on this moment in American history, highlighting the social contract between government & “we, the people”, which is helpful to meet us where we are in these public debates—on race, on policing, even on quarantine—this video helps think about all of our rights & liberties and how can be different for different groups.
• Read: Beyond the Golden Rule, a Teaching Tolerance publication – lays out tips for each age level. Here’s one of my favorites for the “Elementary & Preteen Years” (pg. 31): “Challenge intolerance…. ‘Don’t say that’ is not enough. First, try to find the root of the action or comment: ‘What made you say that about Sam?’ Then, explain why the action or comment was unacceptable.” Help kids recognize their own biases and learn from their mistakes.
• Listen: On Point podcast: “How to Talk to Your Kids About Race, Racism, and Police Violence” – Obviously the headline drew my attention, but the interviews are way more interesting than that rather prescriptive title lets on! This show is produced here in Boston at WBUR, and the host interviews Chris Cooper, whose perspective on these events is enlightened and enlightening, in my opinion.

I look forward to learning and growing along with all of you. There is a peaceful Black Lives Matter march planned at Town Hall this afternoon at 4:00 PM.  Masks are required; black clothing is encouraged; signs are permitted.