We must continue to protect each other

As we begin another school year, I would like to thank each of you for your hard work and resilience, especially these past few years. During my time as principal and superintendent in Delaware schools, I would start each school year with colleagues by saying, “It’s go time.” This meant that all the summer preparation, planning and work was about to pay off, and we were ready for staff and students to return. An air of excitement and wonder would fill the halls; the buildings were prepared, and goals had been developed. Seeing students enter their first day filled with curiosity and excitement always reminded us why we worked so hard, and why we all do our best every day to help ensure successful school days are filled with effective learning and good memories. 

As schools reopen this fall for the 2022-23 school year – and for the first time since fall 2019 – our schools will look and feel more normal to our students, families and educators. For many of us, that comes with great relief. We are no longer stressing about the number of feet between desks, helping students with proper mask-wearing etiquette or balancing remote and in-person learning schedules. Exposures no longer mandate quarantines, and our school nurses are not tasked with extensive contact tracing.

Yet, as we begin to distance ourselves from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue to take care of each other and prioritize community need over personal convenience. This school year, students, schools, families and local communities will have greater autonomy and flexibility in decision-making around their health and safety. The most recent COVID-19 guidance issued by the Delaware Department of Education and Delaware Division of Public Health, which is in line with that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, relies on all of us to self-monitor. That’s why it is imperative that we embrace the greater good philosophy.

Being more mindful of our community includes getting vaccinated. All Delawareans ages 6 months and older are eligible. Getting boosted. Staying home and getting tested if you feel sick. Quarantining yourself if you are positive and notifying your close contacts so they can test too. Finally, if you are exposed to COVID-19, please continue to wear a mask. 

Students, educators, families and policymakers agree that we need to keep our schools open for in-person learning. We need our students and educators to be able to focus on learning. We have ground to gain following the pandemic, and recovery cannot happen overnight. Our children and school staff need this time together to focus on unfinished learning as well as accelerate learning.

The bottom line: We must continue to protect one another. We must continue to care for one another. We must continue to prioritize the protection of our school communities, as you have so wonderfully done these past few years. Our communities, especially our most medically vulnerable members, need to remain safe.

We can do this. It just takes us continuing to work together for the greater good. Have a great start to a wonderful school year, and please know how much I appreciate you. 

It’s go time.