Thank You for Your Input
After every update and email that I send via Instant Alert messaging, included is an invitation to schedule time to discuss with me, in person, both concerns and ideas. This offer is made because I, and all the members of our board of education, sincerely care about our students, staff and the community that takes such pride in our school district. I also believe that, too often, the content (and sometimes even the intent) of messages can be misinterpreted or misunderstood. Talking in person allows for constructive dialogue, a fair trading of information and most importantly the opportunity for human interaction–certainly something that technology can’t provide.
If they weren’t before arrival, those with whom I’ve met usually become aware that just like them, I, too, am a parent. My wife and I are the proud parents of two children–teenagers, actually, and we’ve been subject to the same challenges as each navigates the course of their high school careers during this pandemic. They, too, are athletes, so you can believe that I have enjoyed steady input from both on many of the same topics that come up during the in-person meetings that I have with parents and area residents. In all cases, I listen to and hear many opinions that, while they may not match my own, are afforded respect and a fair hearing.
Opinions are shared by many, yet my staff and I have to rely on fact and data to weigh how the Delta variant and the surge in COVID-19 cases is impacting the protocols and mitigation strategies designed to keep students and staff healthy and in school. These data are the reason that we continue to require that all those entering district facilities wear facial coverings. While other districts have relaxed their protocols, at this time we have not seen a decrease in cases and exposures to support a change. We hope to announce the decision to relax the requirement for facial coverings, sooner rather than later.
Thank you to all who expressed interest in our district hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for all those five years and older.
The date of the clinic is Thursday, November 11, and it will take place at Holloway Elementary School from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. We appreciate our continued partnership with ProMedica to provide this convenience to our families. Feel free to visit the health services page on the district website for more information: sites.google.com/a/springfieldschools.org/springfield-district/home/healthservices?authuser=0.
