Greetings Thompson School District Community,
It is hard to believe that we have reached the midpoint of our school year–a year that has certainly been like none other. Much of what we read and see in social media or on the news has been fairly deflating and depressing. While I do not want to dismiss or minimize the difficulties that our students, families and communities are currently facing, I am choosing to focus this letter on the many positives and bright spots of the year. I submit this entry in the spirit of hope, optimism and a sense that we do have a lot to recognize and celebrate at a time where we should be looking for as much positivity as we can.
I open with a proverbial standing ovation for all of our TSD students, from our youngest preschoolers to our mighty seniors. We are proud of you! Your resilience, tenacity and perseverance has been awe-inspiring and impressive. Our students continue to learn, grow and develop both academically and socially, while deftly navigating the complexities of toggling in and out of in-person instruction, learning remotely via technology and interacting with their teachers and peers via online platforms and virtual meeting rooms. Teaching and learning has never looked more different and our 21st century students are taking this in stride, helping us as a system to innovate, improve, and use technology in a way that continues to foster learning, growth and development. Our students continue to sing, dance, play music, act, play sports, debate, lead through student council, do art and even participate in physical education. While this school year is different in almost every way, our students still find pieces of normalcy while also engaging in traditional pastimes and experiences that define what school is all about. We are proud of our students for stepping out front and taking advantage of their school experiences in new and adaptive ways.
To our teachers and all TSD staff, I also extend admiration, gratitude and respect. For all of us as a system, this is completely uncharted territory. Instead of being intimidated by the problems and challenges, our staff has stepped in to engage, innovate and produce in order to serve our students and our system in the most meaningful and tangible ways. From last spring to the present day, our TSD staff continues to be fully engaged and giving of themselves to ensure that their efforts contribute to what needs to get done in order to serve this district and our community. I want everyone reading this letter to know that our staff cares and delivers! I do not think you will find 2,100 more caring, giving and steadfastly dedicated professionals than those working for TSD. Thank you, TSD staff, for being difference-makers and for persevering during the most remarkable of times.
Our parents, guardians and caregivers are heroes as well and we gratefully acknowledge their support and sacrifice. At a time when careers and household duties are balanced with creating and supporting learning environments for our students when they learn remotely, we recognize that our parents and guardians have become important partners during this very unique and complex school year. One key reason our students, especially our youngest, are able to enjoy measures of success, is due to our parents and guardians providing supportive learning environments, assisting with the troubleshooting of technology needs, keeping students focused and engaged and supporting the teachers and schools in teaching and learning practices. These efforts are tangible and significant. We give thanks and appreciation to our families and caregivers for your willingness to support your students in their journey this year. You are also making a difference!
Finally, our community has stepped up in real, significant and important ways. From providing daycare and volunteering hours to support our children in school, to providing food, clothing and other vital basic supplies and necessities to our many families in need, our TSD community is second-to-none. As a collective, our community embraces the needs of our students and families seven days a week. From fire relief support to providing meals and weekly food distribution, our non-profit partners, business community, churches, local governments and private citizens provide hope, care, love and assistance to those in need. Despite the turmoil and volatility in the world around us, our community protects and insulates the most vulnerable by selflessly giving, providing and supporting. This must be acknowledged and honored. We are so very fortunate to call this community “home.”
So as we close the year and head into 2021, let us take a moment to recognize and celebrate what is good and right in our school district and in our community. This has not been a perfect year, but this also has not been a year of failure or defeat. I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season as well as a happy new year. Thank you for playing an important role in our success. There is much more greatness ahead!
Sincerely,
Dr. Marc Schaffer
Superintendent
Thompson School District