The Journal presents my weekly reflections on being a private, Catholic school principal during what promises to be a year filled with energy, excitement, challenges and possibilities…
I, like most in education, have told students “no,” more than I ever have in the past. I have looked students in the eyes in the midst of a twelve month pandemic during which they have sacrificed much and told them they need to sacrifice more.
A young man facing a significantly truncated sports season lost 28% of his games this week when he was forced to quarantine after being in close contact with an individual who tested positive for the virus. A young woman – a lead in the school play – had to attend dress rehearsals via Zoom over the course of the last seven days for the same reason. Two leaders were sent home from a retreat and were not able to complete it this past weekend. Why? See above.
Over the course of this year, I, like most in education, have told students “no,” more than I ever have in the past. I have looked students in the eyes in the midst of a twelve month pandemic during which they have sacrificed much and told them they need to sacrifice more. I have spoken with their parents, their coaches, their teachers and outlined why we are doing what we are doing, why we are making the decisions we are making, why we are asking them to suffer a bit more.
Sometimes through tears, often with resignication, students accept the determinations. They question, they receive answers, they quarantine and decide how to spend the next days of this pandemic. Typically, they understand. And, while I could describe many examples of bad choices over the course of this year, risky and selfish ones that have impacted others, I know that the community I serve tends to get it. Most people understand, most people care, most do their part.
Most know their sacrifices are for the greater good.
Too easily, I devolve into self pity when I receive the incensed email, the enraged phone call, the upset and anonymous letter. Too often I engage in speculation and blame. Too readily, I decide that people Just. Don’t. Care. They don’t care about the greater good when, in reality, the overwhelming majority of people have been great about that good.
I can see the greater good when I am intentional about looking for it. This is a truth I want to carry out of this pandemic year.
Cases, they are on the upswing. There continues to be no discernable spread in our buildings. Rather, it’s the spread outside that effects us inside. Hmmmmm…. seems like there is something in that conclusion that is greater than the pandemic.