Asserting Intentions During #COVID19 Stay-at-Home, Educate-at-Home Days

It seems this is a moment to assert our beliefs to create a sense of unity and also, understanding for one another’s strengths and challenges. Here is a proposed manifesto….

Dear Parents,

• We believe that all families have the highest intention to keep their loved ones safe and healthy, and their children loved and secure.
• We believe that all families are doing what they are able to ensure an education for their children that will lead them on a successful path.
• We believe that educators and families are learning, adjusting to major change, and giving their best.
• We believe that, despite the hardship that may come from this unique moment in time, the love and support families can provide for one another is more important now than any other specific learning goal and will be the force to win out over any threat – viral or other – beyond their home base.
• We believe that educators and families can be stronger together if they work to manage their own stress and pressures with healthy coping strategies and support their students and children in doing so as well.
• We believe that all families, inclusive of races, cultures, or other perceived differences, are actively included as leaders and owners of those solutions and systems of support.
• We believe that each individual and system including families and educators must examine their own privilege and bias to engage as a responsible community members.

We know learning happens when loving relationships are present and children’s hearts and spirits are cared for as well as their minds. We believe their homes can serve as the ideal place for this deeper life learning to happen. We offer you grace as you do the best for your family.

Sincerely,

Educators

Dear Educators,

• We believe that all educators have the highest intention to keep their students safe and healthy, loved and secure.
• We believe that all educators are doing what they are able to ensure that their students are receiving what they need to lead them on a successful path.
• We believe that educators and families are learning, adjusting to major change, and giving their best.
• We believe that, despite the hardship that may come from this unique moment in time, the love and support families can provide for one another is more important now than any other specific learning goal and will be the force to win out over any threat – bacterial or other – beyond their home base.
• We believe that educators and families can be stronger together if they work to manage their own stress and pressures with healthy coping strategies and support their students and children in doing so as well.
• We believe that all educators, inclusive of races, cultures, or other perceived differences, are actively included as leaders and owners of those solutions and systems of support.
• We believe that each individual and system including families and educators must examine their own privilege and bias to engage as a responsible community members.

We know learning happens when loving relationships are present and children’s hearts and spirits are cared for as well as their minds. We believe children’s homes can serve as the ideal place for this deeper life learning to happen. We offer you grace as you do the best for your students.

Sincerely,

Parents