春天.
The first day of the spring trimester, 2020.
Today began for me like most trimesters: outside, greeting my students, with a few high fives. My typical query at the circle is, “how are you?” And the typical answer came my way, even this morning, “Tired.” (You have to be impressed with the amazing consistency of many of our teen年龄rs: always tired.)
Of course, there is nothing typical about the start of this spring trimester, 2020.
I was not in the circle, but in front of the main office. In the circle this morning were two large trucks taking down a dead tree in front of the library and grinding the wood. 这里有些讽刺意味...我甚至不能忍受我平时的工作. It is as though all the gods are conspiring in unison.
My students, there were about 50 of them who dropped by this morning...顺便去拜访极速，跟他联络, 说“你好”, 虚拟击掌, 或者告诉我他们累了. 很酷...50. Some got up and Zoomed in and they didn’t even have an 8:30 class. 很酷.
Thank you to the parents who joined me via Zoom on Saturday or Sunday. It was wonderful to see you and to hear what’s on your mind. For our international families who do not speak 英语—I would like to connect with you as well! We are working on a Zoom call with an interpreter for Mandarin speakers sometime this week—keep an eye on WeChat for more information. We are working on options for our families in Thailand and South Korea as well.
Look for an end-of-the week communication from me on Friday with Zoom links, 更新, and much more as we begin this new adventure. In this moment I am reminded of Commander Spock’s answer to Captain Kirk as they are about to set off on a dangerous mission with a training crew in 《韦德娱乐app下载地址》《可汗之怒. Kirk asks “How will they respond under real pressure?” and Spock responds, “As with all living things, each according to his gifts.”
This will no doubt be true for all of us as we take our first step on this virtual adventure, and so the mess年龄 I’ve offered to all of our students, 我们的教职员工, over the past week should be our mantra for this spring: be kind to yourself, 善待彼此, 是理解, 是敏感的.
Great adventures begin with a first step, and then a second, and we keep moving forward.
春季开学第一天快乐.
热烈,
汤姆