Dear Wooster Community,
Now Comes the Hard Part
As we enter our second week of distance learning, I wanted to acknowledge everyone -- teachers, students, parents, administrators -- for their efforts to stay focused on learning while living through an experience for which none of us were prepared. We've shown creativity, empathy, and resilience -- so good for us. Thanks also to those students who have responded to our survey (it isn't too late!). Parent surveys will be out later this week. Once we have looked more closely at the data, we'll think about how to keep adjusting our program to best meet the needs of students and families.
Now comes the hard part: accepting that this is our "new normal" for a while and making the best of it. Because of the psychology of the human mind, we are going to keep seeking out reasons to believe that: a). It isn't as bad as it sounds, and b). Most of this stuff doesn't apply to me. This is natural, and in a sense, healthy -- our brain's way of trying to help us cope with the stress and uncertainty. What isn't healthy is allowing yourself to relax on social distancing and other measures because you convince yourself that they are for everyone else, but not you. We've got at least another month of the status quo, so rather than fighting it, embrace it. Be the best social distancer you can imagine. Listen to the experts. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Don't go out if you don't need to. Be a part of this collective solution.
The data are starting to come in on the effect of distancing and it is positive. Remember, the goal is to reduce the rate of hospitalizations, and therefore deaths and based upon the early returns (we'll know more at the end of the week), it is working in our area. Detected cases will keep going up because of increases in testing and the progress of the virus itself, but we are looking to slow the rate -- make it not exponential -- so keep it up.
Focus on your schoolwork, your family, and new opportunities that might be presenting themselves. Make your own opportunities. Did you know that Isaac Newton discovered the laws of optics, gravitation, and calculus while sheltering from the Black Death? Just saying.
Be well,
Matt Byrnes
Head of School
Wooster School Distance Learning Information Webpage