Last week I was involved in meetings with a group of Brothers and with my children’s school, both of which discussed the importance of connectedness amidst virtual community. The loss of in-person community is real, yet we also have an opportunity to leverage our common mission to overcome the inherent obstacles of being physically separated. Keeping students at the center of our efforts will provide the clarity of focus that we need during this unique back to school time.
And unlike last spring, we have had time to “prepare.” At home, this meant spending time this past weekend setting up our kids’ work spaces so that we could all get re-accustomed to these different learning environments. We are working to meet end-of-summer book report deadlines, while also continuing to fit in bike rides and hikes. Our kids- and us parents- hope to make the most of these remaining summer days while also doing our part to get ready for the what lies ahead.
Students are returning in varying ways to our New Orleans area Lasallian schools these weeks, while our California schools monitor the state watch list to inform distance learning, hybrid schedules, and timelines. In every scenario, school leaders and teachers are making plans for educators to establish relationships with students and families. For as John Baptist de La Salle declared, “Young people need good teachers, like visible angels.” Home and school will partner to ensure that these angels are visible to students, in whatever format is safe.
SONGS: ON LOVE
Bill Frisell Trio – What The World Needs Now
Sheryl Crow – All You Need Is Love
PRAYER: ADAPTED FROM LASALLIAN REFLECTION 2
Loving Creator God, Saint La Salle and the first communities were marked by a total self-giving for the young people God entrusted to them. Today, we are called to the same dynamism. By our example and our accompaniment may we give the young what they most hunger for: the spirit of generosity and freedom. Help us to answer the call to be contemporary Good Shepherds “announcing the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel.”
ARTICLES
The Essential Teacher Trait That Has Emerged in the Pandemic
Why Saving Catholic Schools From Covid’s Impact Is A National Imperative
6 Myths About Coronavirus Herd Immunity, Debunked By Doctors
Children Will Pay Long-Term Stress-Related Costs of Covid-19 Unless We Follow the Science
How to Proactively Prepare for Distance Learning: This fall doesn’t have to be like the spring.
Keeping the Faith 