Headmaster's Thoughts: April 2020
Dear Parents and Students,
We all realize what a stressful time this is for our students, and I cannot express how much the York community would like to get us all back together again. But, realistically, that seems very unlikely in the near future. Without getting political, I just do not think that by Easter we will all be back. I think our Distance Learning will continue for some time, and we have planned accordingly. Trust me that as soon as we can re-open school, I will joyfully tell you immediately.
If you have any questions about our Distance Learning Plan, Ms. Marshall and her team have sent out clear directions and, if you have mislaid them, they can be sent to you again via e-mail. Reach out to her at HMarshall@yorkprep.org. The Plan is also in the Files folder of YP Home on Canvas. If there is a problem with video conferencing feel free to reach out to your teachers via email or Canvas, or to our technical expert, Mr. Richard Abba, at rabba@yorkprep.org. I have tried Zoom several times and although the platform is excellent, I have made mistakes and have had to learn to be patient (not my strongest point). Your deans, of course, are standing by to troubleshoot and answer your every concern. Remember that our Spring Break ends on April 3rd, and therefore classes start on our regular timetable, via Distance Learning, on April 6th.
Frankly, I am more concerned for the sadness in our students than anything. I think that being a 6th through 12th grader should be a time of joy. A time of friendship and group interaction. Tragically, some of that is lost. We will work hard to get clubs and activities online as well as educational classes. But an online dialogue is just not the same as being together, and although we all feel this sense of isolation, I fear that our students feel it more deeply. This is a time for families to share pleasures: a board game, a film that can be watched together, or a walk (of course at safe distancing) in a park. And even take up things that we never had time for: yoga, keeping a journal (I am afraid that "Journal of a Plague Year", as a title, has already been taken by Daniel Defoe many centuries ago), reconnecting by e-mail with distant relatives and friends (and the word "distant" is relative since, in these times, they could just as well be nearby), learning some new skill (cooking springs to mind) that you always wondered about. But it will not be easy.
As is laid out in our Distance Learning Plan, our teachers will Zoom with their students and work will be assigned. I know that some will find it more difficult than others to focus. Let me ask our students to work as diligently as they can, knowing that we will be understanding about grades and recognize that allowances will have to be made.
Finally, I want the students to know how much you are cherished by all around you. Your family and your school. We are one community and every member is valuable and precious. There will be a day when we return. We may do elbow bumps (I cannot get used to them) and wash our hands more (that I already have become used to), but be assured that we will be back together. Until then, let us make the most of a bad situation, let us grieve for those who are sick and those of our young who are being robbed of what should be a wonderful time in their lives. I promise that we will do everything to continue to make school a place of happiness and safety, and I wish everyone in the community a healthy future.
Sincerely,
Ronald P. Stewart
Headmaster
York Prep
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