Angi's Message

Abundance of Caution: A fancy way to say, “we have no idea what the actual risk is so we have no idea how to mitigate the risk. Let’s try this, as it seems safe.”

Pivot: Any adaptation to standard operating procedure. This word is often used with a measure of pride, as the ability to pivot represents facing the challenge and working through it.

Nimble: Cousin of pivot, and similarly stated with pride. The ability to apply ideas quickly.

Distance learning/Remote Learning/At-Home Learning: One of the first manifestations of a pivot, distance/remote/at-home learning is an adaptation that should be used when circumstances prevent a child from learning at school. This educational mode may wipe out previously cherished traditions that Southern Californians never had, such as snow days.

Unprecedented: A redundant term for nearly this entire year, at least until the year began to feel extremely precedented, like a rerun of the movie Groundhog Day.

Social distancing: Six feet.

Student: No longer taken for granted, a student is a child in a classroom or on a screen. Students have proven to be remarkably capable of making a pivot. Students bring energy and joy to any learning environment. 

Teacher: No longer taken for granted, a teacher can teach under nearly any circumstance. Teachers came to school the morning after we announced distance learning last March and immediately (and nimbly) pivoted to structuring all of their lessons for Zoom, Seesaw, Google Classroom, and any other platform they could find. They continued to adapt schedules and practices to provide the best teaching they could provide in an unprecedented time.

Faculty: A sleeper-cell of low-key heroes who work together to provide the best possible education in all circumstances.
  
Resilience: A high-value characteristic that has grown in our students, and in fact all of our community members, through this pandemic season. We will all look back at this time and marvel at the ways we overcame obstacles and setbacks to keep learning.

Vaccine: sought after shot that gives people hope and a high level of protection against Covid-19. This vaccine is the first where people know and seemingly care which big pharma company produces the one that they get. 
  
Community: a group of students, parents, teachers, and school staff who care for each other, work together, and achieve common goals in good times and in challenging times.

Don’t be surprised if you see one of us smile when we hear some of these words. What words have you adapted or added to your vocabulary in the last year?

Gradatim ad Summum,
Angi