November 24, 2020
Dear Barrington 220 Community:
Each school year right before Thanksgiving educational leaders from across Illinois attend a conference in Chicago, where they learn about best practices in K-12 education. As expected, this year the conference was canceled. Instead, every school district in our state and across the country continues to try to figure out the answer to a nearly impossible question: What is the best way to continue to educate students in the midst of a global pandemic?
Over the past eight months I have heard from so many of you about this topic. Some of you have lost loved ones and dear friends to COVID-19. Some of you have yet to know anyone who has been sick. Some of you want our students to return to in-person learning as soon as possible, some of you prefer to continue with Distance Learning, and others fall somewhere in between. Regardless of everyone’s situation, I know the past several months have often felt like an insurmountable challenge on so many different levels.
Still, I remain hopeful. I am hopeful for a reduction in the spread and successful treatment of the virus. I am hopeful for a vaccine that appears to be on the horizon. I am hopeful because I know that despite everyone’s differences of opinion, as a community we value education and we all want what is best for kids.
So as we head into Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude. First, I want to thank our students. You continue to amaze me with your resiliency through a pandemic that none of us have seen in our lifetime. Thank you to our parents, who have taken on so many additional roles and responsibilities since last March and yet you are still asking the district what you can do to help. Thank you to the Barrington 220 staff. Your creativity, commitment and ability to make the best of this situation is truly remarkable. Finally, thank you to the Barrington area community, which is made up of so many giving people who continue to come together to support our school district.
I hope you have a safe Thanksgiving.
