Positivity and Optimism. We need those in heavy doses right now, that's for sure! Distance Learning is challenging for all of us and I couldn't be more impressed with the effort Arlington High School is collectively putting in right now. Most students are attending and engaging - thank you! Our kids are trying their best and so are our teachers and staff. We don't always have control over what happens to us, but we do always have control over our response to what happens to us. And so far, our kids, teachers and families have responded as well as anyone could have hoped we would. While we know that we're not perfect, we are clearly doing our best and that's all we can ask. If your family or student(s) are struggling, please remember that support is available. Every day in the schedule we have 8a to 9a and 230p to 330p where your student can reach out to any of his or her teachers for academic help. That's in addition to the 80 min blocks each day where synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning are happening too. We also have our National Honor Society Virtual Peer Tutoring Program where kids can find a peer to help via online. This peer tutoring is arranged through our counseling secretary, Mrs. Robin Knutson - email her directly if your student would like some assistance (rknutson@asd.wednet.edu) or simply call the Counseling Office at 360-618-6307. You can also request other supports via your student's counselor or their assigned assistant principal. Contact information is available on our website (https://ahs.asd.wednet.edu/).

With news of vaccines beginning to receive approval for healthcare workers and first responders in these next couple weeks, it's my hope that we will be able to have more students and staff coming to campus in late winter / early spring. I am also holding out hope that we will end this school year far closer to normal than we've been since March when the pandemic hit. I truly do believe face-to-face instruction and a return to normal is coming in 2021 - and for this principal, the sooner the better! Until then, please know that I too feel every missed event of this school year right along with our Senior Class of 2021. You have my word that we will do all we can to ensure their senior year will be all it possibly can be given the circumstances we find ourselves in today. Although I've been a principal for 9 years now, this graduating class will be my first that I've had the pleasure to serve for all four years of their high school experience. In 2017, we all walked through the front doors of Arlington High School together and come June, I want nothing more than to see them physically walking out those same doors on their final day of high school too!

So believe me when I say this - I don't particularly like this online format either. I wasn't built for this, but I will always do my best for our kids - you have my word on that. I want us to be learning together - on campus, with Every Eagle, every day! Working directly with young people on their preparation for life beyond AHS is what all educators signed up for and I'm no different. What keeps me going through all of this closure stuff is simply this: our first day back on this campus is going to be AMAZING and I can see it on the horizon, we're almost there! I cannot wait for the return of the collective energy our kids bring to the high school experience each day. I want this campus to come back to life and in 2021 I truly believe it will! The joy, the laughter, the smiles, the high fives, the fist bumps, and yes - even the drama too (what would high school be without that?) - I miss it all. It's not the same around here without YOU! This graduating class has a special place in my heart and I will forever remember the goals we set together to improve our campus culture from day 1. Together, we brought in Character Strong and we found ways to seamlessly weave our three things of Be Involved, Work Hard and Be Kind into all we do together here are AHS. The Class of 2021 is far from done on this campus, but their impact is already so clear! From our banners and consistent messaging about kindness, hard work, clubs, activities and so much more - they've helped us shape who we are and what we're all about. Student leaders from this class have also been instrumental in helping us become more inclusive by launching our Diversity Council too! We are more welcoming at AHS than ever before and I will always remember the impact this class played in this council's development. There's a lot more of this school year left and our work is far from done. Our journey together continues and I am so proud of how the Class of 2021 has responded to our challenges this past year as they lead the way for Every Eagle as they role model resilience and perseverance. To every senior, I want to encourage you now to keep working hard and preparing for graduation in June. Our goal is for EVERY senior to walk across that stage - and nothing can stop us, not even a pandemic.