Another Unusual End
About this time last May, the school year was coming to an end just like it does every year. The difference was that I was reflecting on one of the most unusual school years I had ever been a part of in more than 20 years of education because of the flood of 2019.
At the time, I was convinced that it was the most difficult school year I would ever face in my entire career. Now, less than a year later, it is quite evident that the pandemic of 2020 has made the flood of 2019 seem like a distant memory.
The biggest difference is that once the flood waters went away, work could begin immediately on bringing normalcy back to our daily life. Together, as a community, this was accomplished.
COVID-19 is different. We have been affected by COVID-19 since March and a plan to bring all of us back to a normal way of life still seems unclear. The only similarity that I am sure about, is that we will defeat the COVID-19 virus the same way we rose above the aftermath of the flood. Together, as a community.
I can honestly say that this pandemic has not affected my personal life to a major extent. However, my professional life has been turned upside down and the fact that school was able to continue during the period of suspension of normal academic services is a true testament to the staff of Osmond Community School.
The teachers quickly and professionally put together plans to continue providing academic services in a variety of ways. Custodial staff members came to work with the intent of making sure this school was disinfected and safe for all. Kitchen staff and support staff agreed to not only continue to prepare food, but to also deliver meals door-to-door to ensure the basic needs of the students were being met.
The dedication of the OCS staff has been nothing short of impressive and it is impossible to say “thank you” enough times for the hours they have dedicated to the school and the students.
So what is next for the school? Students checked out of this school year by bringing their school materials back to the school on May 19. At the same time, students picked up their packet of awards they earned earlier in the school year.
Prom has been rescheduled for July 17 and the graduation ceremony for July 25. The school building is scheduled to open for students on Aug. 13 to begin the 2020-21 school year.
All of this will bring us closer to bringing a feeling of normalcy back to our lives as we wait for the NCDHD, commissioner of education, executive director of the NSAA, and Governor Ricketts to give us the green light and lift current DHMs and let us know that it is safe to move forward. Patience and faith are needed at this time.
Lastly, I want to say “thank you” to all the parents who rearranged their schedules to accommodate and support the on-line learning that was used to finish out the fourth quarter of this school year through IPads and Chromebooks. Your dedication to your child’s education played a major role in the level of success that was achieved during another unusual end to a school year.
