LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

As we enter December, there is likely to be a lot of uncertainty and fluctuation in school operations throughout New York State. One thing that we do know for certain is that Governor Cuomo has repeatedly made public comment that one of his top priorities is to keep schools open. Knowing this, it is likely that we will experience changing requirements and circumstances throughout the coming weeks and months. I understand that right now, most people want consistency and predictability; so we will do our best to continue delivering learning in a way that is as consistent as possible and fits within the Governor's (or the New York State Department of Health's) rules and requirements. Another area that we have begun to hear a lot of noise about is bringing kids back into the buildings five days a week. Unfortunately, the reason why students are not in school five days a week is directly related to the COVID restrictions placed on classroom/school occupancy. We cannot have more stud...

Late November is the traditional start to the Holiday Season. This year, 2020, is going to bring an entirely new meaning to the holidays and to what and how people celebrate. My personal experience started the other week with helping my mother understand that it was okay for her to cancel our family Thanksgiving and that the family wouldn't hate her for doing so. Like many families, my family is spread throughout the country and bringing people together is not only challenging, but in the current situation, potentially not safe. In my conversation with my mother, I said to her, "Mom, if we need a holiday to get together as a family and enjoy each other's company, then we're doing something wrong." The fact is, also like many families (prior to COVID), my family takes as many opportunities to be together as possible throughout the year. The reality is, holidays can happen on any given day of the year. In reflection, why do people need a holiday to think of others a...

  As we enter our fourth week of hybrid learning, there has been no shortage of bumps, road blocks, bruises, challenges, adversity, you name it. At the same time, there has also been an equal (if not greater) amount of triumph, teamwork, perseverance, and success. There is no doubt that schools everywhere (including Rome) are doing their best to get by and make the best of tough situations in an ever changing environment. There is not a single member of our school community from student, to parent, to staff member that has not been greatly affected by this pandemic. However, each and every day people come together in an attempt to bring whatever sense of normalcy we can muster. No one knows where the next. few weeks and months are going to bring us. There is going to be a host of people who believe that the only way to do things is to shut everything down again like the spring, while there is going to be an equal number of people who believe that some are still overreacting to the ...

  As you know, our region and community has seen a significant increase in positive COVID cases over the past week. Fortunately, statewide, schools have not been the breeding ground for exposure and spread that many people feared. However, unfortunately, simple mistakes throughout all communities are raising cause for people everywhere. Despite increases in positive cases, there are still many folks that are non-believers and some that will refuse to follow simple health and safety guidelines that are in place to protect everyone. If we want schools to remain open, we all need to remember to remain calm, and follow the simple requirements. Currently, and rightfully so, there is an element of panic beginning to creep into our region. Our positive rates are higher now than at any point in the spring, so concern, stress, and anxiety are expected. However, this is the very reason why we have professionals in the medical and health profession who help guide us through to the promised la...

After welcoming back more students to the buildings last week, we are all reminded of the age old phrase,  most often used in athletics, "every day is a chance to be better." Many schools have been doing the hybrid model for several weeks and are still working out the issues and/or in some cases, completely changing course. Every new adventure,  no matter what facet of life, will always bring a level of anxiety and some bruises as people work to adjust to new ways of doing things. Every day will have it's successes, it's failures, it's meh's and it's hooray's! Every day for the past several months has been a learning experience in some way shape or form, and the learning experiences are likely to continue to for the next several months. Regardless of what happens, as long as we can all remember that every day is a chance to be better than the day before. Everyone at this point knows that there are going to be challenges and new hurdles to be faced on a...