I know that the pandemic is grinding us into submission. There is disruption in every sector of the economy. I have written about the effects of COVID on school leadership and management. On top of everything else, the unnecessary politicization of the pandemic is difficult for everyone. The only thing I have to say is…Thank God for Kids!
Leave it to Kids
I heard a GREAT story from the Somerset Area School District this week. The superintendent of the school, Krista Mathias, was approached by a group of students who wanted her (and the school district’s) support for a student-led campaign. The name of the campaign is “Save our School Year”. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage people in the community to wear face coverings and keep social distancing in mind. Simple. The point of the campaign is to encourage the adults in their community (or ANY community) to do simple mitigation efforts. Simple mitigation techniques lessens the disruption in the school year because COVID cases decrease and schools stay open. It is practical, not politics.
HOPE
I will say it again, “Thank God for kids!” The kids are taking a leadership role in their community. The kids are rising above the silly political games of the adults. The kids are setting an example of community responsibility.
I HOPE that the idea of kids advocating to have a “normal” school year by encouraging simple COVID mitigation steps goes beyond one school district. I HOPE students will connect on social media and share their ideas of how to push their communities to help them have a normal school year (or at least as normal as one can get during a pandemic). I HOPE adults see these kids as an inspiration and a reflection of all that is good in America.