In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger. Something better, pushing right back! -Albert Camus

These words provide me with a welcome source of inspiration today. I have found much of this week’s national political dialogue to be toxic. We are stuck indoors due to the poor air quality from the California wildfires, while my colleagues in the New Orleans area brace for potential hurricane impacts. In Milwaukee, Jacob Blake is one more black man shot by police, and of course the pandemic shapes every aspect of our daily life.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize how privileged I am within these experiences of adversity; my faith, my family, my community and my home afford me the time and space to even reflect upon these unfortunate events.

My kids and their eager adaptation to distance learning give me hope. I am already exhausted by the technological needs but that comes with this strange aspect of today’s parenthood reality. I am grateful for my partnership with my wife and trust that we will prevail stronger and more resilient. It continues to be a tremendous blessing that we are healthy and together.

I find myself listening to this Classical Music today while I work. May it bring peace and tranquility to your day. Enjoy!

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” -Maya Angelou

Today is the first day of school for my kids. Their chromebooks are set-up and I installed a wi-fi extender at home so that my internet could withstand the numerous daily Zooms. The sense of loss of the in-person experience is offset by the excitement my children have of seeing their friends on their screens.

Prayers are requested for our school communities in California, Colorado and Louisiana. Wildfires and approaching storms affect these states. This morning I reflected upon this quote from Saint La Salle to ground me amidst these climate disasters:

God’s compassion for you is greater than the troubles you have. (Meditation 38.1)

May these prayer resources below bring us comfort to sustain us throughout the week ahead. I give thanks for all educators, students and their families, for the gift we enjoy of serving as communities of faith and service. Let us continue to pray for all those challenged by this pandemic, and trust in our God who loves us.

SONGS

Jon Batiste & Nathaniel Rateliff “Hold On, I’m Coming” 

Salve Regina- Canto Católico 

ARTICLES

Catholics must play a healing role in the Black Lives Matter movement

Fear, Facts and the Critical Task of Building Trust

Planning Lessons With the Student Experience in Mind

No One is the Same: Supporting Students’ Mental Health as We Return to School

School openings across globe suggest ways to keep coronavirus at bay, despite outbreaks

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

I read this passage on a card I received in the mail yesterday. I was struck by how rewarding it was to open a written correspondence. The card was sent to me by a colleague in Washington, DC, and it also felt nice to receive good news from our nation’s capital…for the first time in a while.

At home we are preparing for the first day of school on Monday. Back to school Zoom meet and greets with their teachers were exciting for my kids this week. Unlike last spring, they each of their own work station, their own device, and at least we all have a collective point of comparison…it is comforting in a sense that everything is not new this time around. Hopefully the air quality improves over the weekend (see image of the San Francisco city skyline above). Ready or not, distance learning here we come!

This morning I received notice of our District’s first student Covid-19 positive case at one of our schools. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time for me to receive a notice like this one. I pray for this elementary school student and her family.

Almost 20 years ago I attended a Neill Finn concert here in San Francisco. He serves as the lead singer for the band Crowded House. Enjoy his home rendition of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” here. Stay health and safe in the weekend ahead. Let’s continue to keep all affected by Covid-19 and our CA wildfires in our hearts.

“We are in a moment of extreme vulnerability when life and death hold hands.” Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur

When I initially read this article on preparing for increasing stress levels, I thought it may be a resource as schools continue to re-open in varying ways; the stressful impact of Covid upon the continually changing educational landscape cannot be overstated.

Then yesterday afternoon I learned of wildfires now burning through several surrounding counties nearby where I live. The ash from the fires coats our outdoor furniture and my prayers today are with all affected. Families and staff from our local Lasallian schools have been evacuated; some have lost their homes.

My windows are closed and my kids we will be indoors today due to diminished air quality. Today I am all the more grateful for our morning bike ride together yesterday!

In California, fire season is nearly year-round. Colleagues in Denver have been dealing with wildfires throughout these opening weeks of August as well. I hope that God’s earth will be protected, Mother Nature respected, homes spared, and first responders safe.

The below four tenets from the aforementioned article, “How to prepare for rising stress ahead,” resonate clearly for me within my personal and professional realms. In leadership formation I promote a concept of “work/life integration,” as opposed to “work/life balance.” Now more than ever, a healthy integration of responsibilities – the joys, challenges and opportunities – is paramount to our ability to survive, cope and thrive throughout this evolving trauma of the coronavirus pandemic.

I will strive to continually embrace these tenets as guiding principles in the months ahead:

  1. Be safe;
  2. Practice self-care;
  3. Keep connected to people you care about and those you’re responsible for leading;
  4. Communicate an optimistic attitude that’s grounded in realism.

May this Serenity Prayer provide us the support we deserve:

God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things that I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Stay healthy and safe!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

“No wonder those words have weathered the centuries so well; no wonder they are still music to our ears.  They assure us that those who please God are not those who can carry the heaviest loads but those who are willing to share their loads, who are willing to share their yokes by entering into relationship with the one whose invitation is a standing one. ‘Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’”

— Barbara Brown Taylor, The Seeds of Heaven: Sermons on the Gospel of Matthew

On Saturday evening we experienced a “once in a decade” thunder and lightning storm in the Bay Area. Yesterday my kids built a fort in our living room in response to how affected they were by this unique occurrence. So we should be prepared for the next one in ten years😊

Across our Lasallian District of San Francisco New Orleans, a few schools are in session while others prepare this week with virtual and in-person gatherings of faculty and staff. Friday afternoon I enjoyed my time spent with one of our schools and their adult community, discussing how to create a culture of belonging for students. We explored topics of equity, access and social-emotional health; I was inspired by the passion and energy of the teachers, which clearly translated across the digital divide, as did their student-centered approach to building relationships.  At a board meeting for a different school earlier in the week, I learned of the school’s focus on the following areas of remote learning: engaging teaching, social emotional support, and social justice & personal growth. With experiences like these, I am confident that our students are being cared for with a spirit of faith along with our Lasallian professionalism, care and concern. 

These days I am reflecting often on this above quote from Saint John Baptist de La Salle. I came across it from the daily quotes of the Lasallian Resource Center, which I find to be a valuable resource for my prayer. Visit www.lasallianresources.org for this daily quote resource.

SONGS

Sunday Bloody Sunday- Deon Jones (ft. Jon Batiste)

It Is Well With My Soul- Nashville Studio Singer Community

ARTICLES

The measure of wealth in a civilized nation is not the currency accumulated by the lucky few, but rather the strength and resonance of social relations and the bonds of reciprocity that connect all people in common purpose- Wade Davis


Yesterday was an odd day that began with a coyote lunging at my dog on our morning walk, and concluded with several hours of playing guitar with my neighbors. We played songs by Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Van Morrison, artists from another time who held lofty ideals about community and society. My dog is ok, my spirit fed by music, and today marks another day. 


This sobering read in the Rolling Stone- How COVID-19 Signals the End of the American Era– places our national crisis in a global context. There is much work to do and challenges abound. I recognize how fortunate I am for the professional community I am part of, for the neighborhood I live in, and also for the blessing of being with my wife and kids. 


Stay healthy and safe. Enjoy this video – You’ve Got a Friend – reminding us of the strength in community. Let’s make the best of the weekend ahead.

“We’re talking about fostering an inclusive environment and caring relationships that elevate student voice and agency.” Justina Schlund

I have spent much time this past week as part of a parent task force for my kids’ school. We are discussing important things like building relationships, quality academics, community, social/emotional health, screen time and physical fitness. The schools that I work with are exploring these same areas. I found that this article provided some good insights into how schools are preparing for this upcoming round of distance learning:

Kids’ mental health can struggle during online school. Here’s how teachers are planning ahead.

As I think about this concept of “preparing,” I realize that educators and parents do have an advantage over our experience of emergency remote learning last spring. We do have the benefit of time to prepare, and also the ability to learn from those schools who are able to re-open safely in certain parts of the country. However, a significant difference lies in the physical and mental exhaustion that we all face, and its cumulative toll. Summer was a misnomer in some ways (although my family did enjoy a weeklong vacation, which I greatly appreciate as a privilege that not all were able to experience).

So we prepare with uncertainty and with faith. I look to Jesus’ example of going away to the desert and to the mountains to think and pray, as one of the ways by which he took the time and space to prepare. Simple acts like playing my guitar and walking my dog assist me with my mental health, and will continue to do so throughout these pandemic months. I hope that each of us can commit to simply, daily acts of mindfulness. We will be better to ourselves and to our children as a result.   

Empathy is the social glue that holds a civilized society together. Empathy lays the core for helping kids live one truth: we are ALL humans who share the same fears and concerns, and deserve to be treated with dignity. -Dr. Michele Borba

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.

“I Was a Little Scared”: Inside America’s Reopening Schools

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Author Margaret Meade

Last night, 85 parents from my children’s school gathered via Zoom. Our virtual meeting provided the time and space for us to reconnect as parents and as a community of support. Concern, anxiety and questions were all present, as were laughter, compassion and appreciation for our school and its teachers.

This experience of community, and the empathy that was demonstrated by parents, reminded me of this insightful article from EdWeek: The Essential Teacher Trait That Has Emerged in the Pandemic. Empathy is identified as today’s essential teaching trait, and is defined as being “at the heart of social-emotional learning, an approach that, when applied systematically, is intended to cultivate a caring and equitable learning environment that supports the development of essential skills such as responsible decision-making and emotional regulation.” In our society, the cultivation of these gifts is recognized as imperative, among parents and educators alike. How to prioritize social-emotional learning in the midst of such a different learning environment for students and for parents is our challenge and an opportunity.

These upcoming weeks are uncertain. As our return to school takes shape in varying ways, I hope that our schools and parents enter into the experience ahead with understanding, appreciation, and a shared commitment to safety, growth and ongoing dialogue. Our children deserve it.   

Faith lifts the soul, Hope supports it, Experience says it must and Love says…let it be! -Elizabeth Ann Seton

Actor Martin Sheen turned 80 earlier this week, and I recently came across his inspiring recitation of this 1910 Begali poem by Rabindranath Tagore. I have long admired Martin’s faith convictions along with his acting. You can view his rendition of the poem here.

“Let My Country Awake” – Rabindranath Tagore

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action –
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

British journalist Ed Yong has covered the pandemic extensively in The Atlantic. His lengthy article here provides an extensive overview into the challenges facing the United States. I found his description of how socioeconomics influence one’s experience of the pandemic to be particularly insightful, and I appreciate his recommendations below.

“COVID‑19 is an assault on America’s body, and a referendum on the ideas that animate its culture. Recovery is possible, but it demands radical introspection. America would be wise to help reverse the ruination of the natural world, a process that continues to shunt animal diseases into human bodies. It should strive to prevent sickness instead of profiting from it. It should build a health-care system that prizes resilience over brittle efficiency, and an information system that favors light over heat. It should rebuild its international alliances, its social safety net, and its trust in empiricism. It should address the health inequities that flow from its history. Not least, it should elect leaders with sound judgment, high character, and respect for science, logic, and reason.”

May our faith, hope, and experience anchor our day. And may love inform our thoughts and actions. Blessings to you.