As we continue to guide our districts through this unprecedented time, we need to remember the words of Dr. John Maxwell on leadership. Dr. Maxwell states that “leaders need to see more and before others”. In other words, we need to reflect on not only what needs to occur right now, but also be thinking ahead to what must transpire in the weeks and months to come.
Today, let’s think through 5 things which we should be doing now and in the future as we progress through this challenging time.
Motivating Students, Staff and Parents:
Most of us only have a few weeks left in the school year, maybe a month at most. Many students, staff and parents have been working diligently over the past weeks, but we are entering the most challenging time to come. The new routines are no longer novel, but rather a motivational challenge. Let’s redouble our efforts to help all “hang in there”. Send out images which promote this concept through social media. Prop up individuals with personal messages. Give students, staff and parents recognition for all they are doing.
Social and Emotional Support for Students, Staff and Parents:
To an extent this item goes along with the motivation component mentioned above, but it is something that we cannot afford to let up on as our COVID-19 response continues. In fact as time progresses it is easy, because of routine and other distractions, to forget to individually check in on students, staff and families. We need to remember that this issue will not get better, but will become a greater challenge for students, staff and families as time progresses.
Preparing to End the Year Strong:
Some districts are grappling with what to do about a graduation ceremony, others are thinking through how they will collect computers which were distributed to students, and still others are trying to figure out how to grade quarantined paper packets. Regardless of your district’s situation the keys are to remember to develop a plan early; ensure the plan has been built with a diverse group of constituents; communicate the plan using multiple methods and on multiple occasions; and put someone in charge of answering questions. To the extent we can follow this formula all end of the year processes should finish strong.
Summer Programming:
States are all over the board with some continuing to implement stay at home orders, others attempting to embrace the President’s three phase plan for reopening, and many others somewhere in between. Although every district context is different there are fundamental questions which can be answered now regarding the potential for summer programming, or the lack thereof in our districts. Here are a few to consider: 1) Which students must receive some form of summer programming? Special education students, students who have credits to make up…etc. 2) If programming occurs how will this look? Is there any situation under which you will risk face to face programming (even if social distancing exists)? 3) Do you have the staffing to deliver the summer programming you believe is necessary? Remember that staffing is likely to be more expansive than just teachers. 4) How will these programs be funded? CARES act dollars, grants, local dollars?
Reopening in the Fall:
As stated in earlier blogs posts we need to get ahead of this issue and lead not only locally, but at the state and national level too. I know that AASA has established a “COVID-19 Recovery Task Force” and its charge is to assist school districts and superintendents with how to reopen in the fall. Be on the lookout for information which comes from AASA regarding this effort. It seems clear that, at a minimum, we need to be planning for the following: 1) Social distancing (of some sort), 2) Preparing for enhanced disinfecting levels, 3) Desired use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by staff and students, 4) How to handle visitors in schools and classroom field trips. In other words, exposing our students to others.
Again, many questions to answer and we know that state departments of education, AASA, CDC, state administrator associations and others will provide guidance, but we also need to start to gauge where our governing boards and communities are on these issues and start to preliminarily ramp up our local response.
So as we conclude remember that in our response to COVID-19 we must “see more and before” to continue to lead effectively. If your district is doing anything to respond “more or before” please share in the comments below. Also remember that we all gain wisdom when we share and connect with each other.