September in Michigan is refreshing and rejuvenating. Because the climate cools and the bushes start to show deep shades of crimson and orange, college students throughout the state will pull on their backpacks and enter new school rooms the place they may have the chance to study and develop — academically, socially and emotionally.
Autumn usually demonstrates a time of pleasure for college kids, mother and father, lecturers and group members for we all know one other nice 12 months of arduous work, studying and reminiscences is on the horizon.
This 12 months, many faculties throughout the state will welcome college students again into the classroom for in-person studying. Faculties are doing all the things they will to make sure a secure and “regular” again to highschool expertise for college kids and lecturers by following suggestions from native, state and federal well being departments.
As educators, our focus has been, and can all the time be, relentlessly offering the easiest training for our college students in secure and interesting studying environments.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen our communities stay resilient regardless of going through challenges introduced on by the pandemic. We’ve seen households step as much as assist each other with each day well being screenings and homework assist. We’ve additionally witnessed our pupil’s resourcefulness and dedication to finishing their coursework beneath new and generally difficult circumstances.
Sadly, many missed out on alternatives to develop by extracurricular actions like sports activities, tutorial and social golf equipment, in addition to volunteer alternatives and part-time work. In some ways, these college students and their households demonstrated and proceed to exhibit a strong resilience.
College districts are fortunate to have such dedicated communities to accomplice with throughout unsure occasions, and because the 2021-22 tutorial 12 months begins, we’re hopeful this partnership will proceed.
Whereas experiences misplaced can’t be changed, districts like Woodhaven-Brownstown are working to fill voids and supply alternatives to assist college students again to the place they had been academically and emotionally earlier than the pandemic. The historic $17.1 billion College Support Funds and one-time COVID aid ESSER funding are already serving to faculties throughout the state handle challenges they could face in the course of the 2021-22 tutorial 12 months.
From hiring further assist workers to constructing after faculty programming, faculties are working to supply college students the sources they want.
In Woodhaven-Brownstown, we’re grateful for the group passing a $144 million bond proposal in Could. This vital funding will go towards facility enhancements, expertise and tools updates, program enhancements and athletic subject, playground and web site enhancements. Every of this stuff impacts a elementary a part of an enriching faculty expertise.
Lecturers, principals and superintendents alike are ready to make the upcoming 12 months one to recollect with pleasure. Many districts are providing social emotional studying assist, for each lecturers and college students. Elevated ranges of hysteria amongst college students, particularly those that haven’t set foot in a standard faculty since March of 2020, will probably be one thing faculty workers and oldsters ought to be ready to deal with. Hearken to and validate emotions and search assist, if relevant. That’s why lecturers are coming ready to have tough conversations and meet every youngster the place they’re. It’s necessary that folks assist their faculty group by these initiatives.
Regardless of the challenges and an extended street to restoration forward, we see pleasure amongst our college students, lecturers and group. Pleasure to purchase faculty provides, see associates, meet lecturers and easily be carefree. Educators statewide are optimistic in regards to the future. Let’s work collectively to provide our college students what they should not solely succeed, however thrive.
Mark Greathead is the superintendent of Woodhaven-Brownstown College District.
