Radcliffe Radiance
Grace in the Disappointment of COVID
Today, Radcliffe Creek School experienced our first positive case of COVID-19. Tonight, however, it is hard to feel too upset. The parents of the sick student acted responsibly by testing their child immediately and reporting the positive result. The Administration Team flew into action. We identified the children who had close contact with the student, spent time talking with the Health Department, and then enacted our communication plan. Staff and families acted graciously, concerned about the student who was sick, wondering what they could do to help, and responding practically so that our students would get the support they needed. We all tried and will continue to keep working to make the best of the situation.
Our Create Night scheduled for tonight had to be delayed. The Science Fair projects line the walls of the Great Room, about 50 lbs of meatballs and other culinary delights were put into the freezer, and the stacks of books so carefully laid out for Book Fair sit untouched. But in this tremendous shift of expectations, we had a glimpse into the character of the children we are all helping to develop.
In the eighth grade, homeroom teachers relayed the news that we had a student who tested positive for COVID and the plan for the next few days. As Mr. Joiner spoke, one of the students who has anxiety about COVID, silently ducked his head as his eyes teared up. From across the room, another student spoke out and said “I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.” Yet another student got up from his seat, not focused on Mr. Joiner’s words, but anxious to get to his friend, and awkwardly patted him on the back, telling him everything would be all right. When Mr. Joiner finished speaking a fourth student jumped up to talk to the upset classmate, reassuring him. Finally, a fifth eighth-grader, taking it all in, quietly and swiftly made their way over checking in with the student. The behavior of these particular students was unexpected because social connections are something they have spent time working on. Each acted without prompting and completely focused on the well-being of their friend, needing to communicate kindness. The hours we spend teaching our students empathy and the ability to look beyond oneself can sometimes seem so futile. However, at the moment that was fraught with disappointing news, the true gift of Radcliffe shone on. As Mr. Joiner said when recounting the story, there can be no greater reward than to raise our children to be compassionate, caring people.
I wish you a weekend of sweet moments,
Head of School
