Dear NUSD Community Member,
Yesterday I watched my son participate in his high school graduation. He was able to walk across a stage with his cap and gown and it looked very similar to what our schools have scheduled. His face lit up as he received his diploma and it was a bittersweet time that reminded me that our school year is winding down. 2019-2020 was a school year unlike any other I have experienced. The word that best describes this school year to me is relentless. Just when I thought we rounded the corner from one crisis another found us.
I am proud of NUSD and how we have approached the never-ending series of crises. We have been open and honest in our communications, been transparent in our decision making, vulnerable when we didn’t know the answers and changed tracks when needed. We accomplished great things, made the best of what we were presented with, and are working to develop the best plan possible for return in the fall of 2020. We appreciate your kindness, thoughtfulness and advocacy as we continue this journey.
Next week will be big on many fronts. It will mark the end of the school year, graduations, promotions, and much progress on planning for re-entry (we will provide updates as soon as we can and no later than June 16). For some, it will mark the end of a long journey with NUSD. I hope that, as the school year winds down, you will find some time to reflect on what an odd year it has been and on some of the good things that happened. While 2019-2020 has been challenging in many ways, it has not been without its successes and positives. I encourage you to reach out to someone to let them know that they played a role in one of those successes or positives. I think a little good news might go a long way towards uplifting someone these days.
We are exploring a new platform for community engagement and it is called Thoughtexchange. It allows participants to share their thoughts as well as rate what other thoughts which informs us of the concerns and suggestions in the community. You should have received two opportunities to provide feedback through email on June 4, 2020. You can also connect to these two feedback opportunities here:
- Thoughts, experiences and/or observations of prejudice, racial injustice, and/or discrimination within NUSD: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/906403560
- Important considerations NUSD needs to think about as we prepare to re-open schools in August: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/811201714
We want to hear your thoughts.
I wish you all a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Kris Cosca