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May 28, 2020
Dear Families,
Hello! It feels like, and it has been, forever since we've seen you, your children, and our staff. This is all very strange.
However, this has been a week of many “graduation” video calls and Katie, Ilene, and I are so happy to have connected with the 8th graders, even if we did spend a bit of time saying:
“Sit up”, “No gum”, “Put your phones away”, “No eating”, “Hats off for graduation”
Along with:
“We miss you”, “OMG- you are so much older!”, “You are all doing the best job!”, “Thanks for being patient. Can we do that one more time?”, and of course, “Don’t go!”
We love our 8th graders SO MUCH. We literally have a story about each and every one of them from 6th grade. We could embarrass them for hours. We simply cannot believe that this is our very first 75 Morton graduation, and it is virtual. What?
The response to this dilemma of how to hold graduation is a direct reflection of our vision, mission, philosophy, and who we are deep down. The Graduation Committee of parents switched gears and figured out how to do this remotely, the staff pitched in with technology and editing help, entertainment ideas, memories and performances. The students showed up for Zoom calls and worked with us. Everyone was flexible. No one messed up and everyone’s spirit was so focused on making the Class of 2020 Graduation work. It says so much about our community. THIS is 75 Morton!
(You will all get more details as we get closer to the date, June 22.)
Recently David asked me if I had ever discussed my family Zoom dinner rules in one of these letters. He, and my daughters, point out how my rules reflect who I am, and not in a good way.
The rules are simple. We plan a family Zoom call at dinnertime. (We have had about ten.) We prepare a meal. I set the table, get dressed up a bit, and we are ready at the appointed time. Then, depending on how the evening proceeds, I am either overwhelmingly happy, or highly annoyed.
I am a complete control freak, which is both good and bad when running a school. This presents endless opportunities for me to apologize to the staff, Katie and Ilene, but it is what it is. Because of this I am learning that Zoom family dinners can put me over the edge. I literally want to send a rule book out. Be on time! Have your meal ready! Be a little dressed up. Try! Pretend we are out to dinner or in each other’s real company!
COVID-19 should be teaching me to let go. This is all about learning to be more flexible, learning to pause and rethink plans. As we look ahead, I have stalked the staff to get responses to these questions: What have you learned during these last months? How have you grown? What skills will you take forward into next year? The flexibility they demonstrate is amazing. The expertise and thoughtfulness evidenced in the responses is stunning. Every answer is building our plan for September.
One of the biggest and most important takeaways is that we must aim to keep our expectations high, while acknowledging the circumstances. It is a balancing act.
And your children are teaching all of us at 75 Morton how to manage this experience. Their resilience and energy, their triumphs and challenges, their flexibility, are all lessons for us.
I am taking these lessons and trying to throw out the family Zoom dinner rule book. I am learning from my family and friends. I am enjoying their company and thanking them for showing me how to keep moving forward. Just as your children are doing for us.
With Respect,
Jacqui