As we prepare to end the school year and start thinking about next, one of the things I most appreciate about Green Hedges is the freedom we are afforded as an independent school to make educational decisions that are in the best interest of teaching and learning. We can be agile in difficult times. We can quickly offer new programs and update approaches that are outdated or no longer effective. On a curricular level, our highly trained teachers have great freedom and flexibility to enhance core coursework. We have far more freedom to enact change and be not just responsive, but proactive. That is one reason why the faculty and administration were able to move to Distance Learning so effectively as we anticipated the arrival of COVID-19. We have been able to continue our efforts to support our students and maintain connections with our community.
Right now, I am looking ahead to next year. We are definitely in the midst of scenario planning. There are things we know, and there are still things we don’t about COVID-19. Under these circumstances, how does a school leader plan in the face of changing and uncertain conditions? Like other institutions, GHS will be guided by state and local health and governmental authorities. Most important, we are committed to safety and learning. We are committed to sustaining a school with a long tradition and to preserving our GHS culture.
The good news is that this crisis will end, and we will be stronger by the end of it. Nonetheless, I want us to be prepared for next year. Students need to learn. While a college student might take a gap year, that is not in the best interest of a younger child’s growth. There is so much happening in brain development from infancy to 18 years old. It’s an exponential scale. We need to ensure that students continue to grow and learn. We are all adaptable, and we will make this work.
Over the summer, I will keep you apprised of scenario developments. Thank you for your support as the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close. It’s been an exciting first year!
