Last week, we made the biggest change in Greene Street Friends School's history. In three school days, we went from a campus-based school to a virtual school, operated out of our homes, and received in your homes. It is truly an honor for me to work with everyone at GSFS, families and students included. I know that this is a challenging and stressful time in our history, and I am hopeful that the connection with teachers and school has been a positive one. While this spring break is not like others, perhaps you've logged on to one of Julia's 9 AM spring break story hours, or visited the  GSFS library site that she has set up, I am still hopeful that it has given you a bit of respite from the regular day-to-day in this world of COVID-19.  I have been working from my kitchen counter and taken time for self-care by riding my bike each day. 

 

While we all have been hoping to return soon, it looks like virtual school will go on longer. The day before yesterday, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued an order keeping all schools closed in Pennsylvania until at least April 6, and perhaps longer. The challenge will be for us to practice self-care while caring for our own families and for each other. 

 

I have received a lot of positive feedback over the past several days about Virtual GSFS and I have shared these uplifting messages with faculty and staff. Thank you for these messages, they really do feed our spirit! 

 

As we are realizing the reality that this will go on longer than the end of Spring Break, we wanted to gather your thoughts about the first week of Virtual GSFS, and recommendations for moving forward. Please visit this link and submit your responses. This is intended for the adult caregivers and parents, not for students (although I'm sure that they have their own thoughts about Virtual GSFS, too!)  https://forms.gle/sih9ptaVHgU4DYWdA

 

Right now, I may be at my kitchen counter, but my door is wide open. I would love to hear from you about how it's going for you.