Dear DCSD Family,
Navigating the return to school in the midst of COVID-19 is incredibly challenging -- in fact, it’s the most difficult storm I’ve weathered in my 30 years in public education. Myself, the DCSD Board of Education and all of our staff are doing the best we can to provide students with a quality public education, while keeping them safe.
There are still so many unknowns about COVID-19 and its effects. Data and information changes almost daily. And, I recognize there are many questions without immediate answers.
What I do know for certain is that school will look very different this year, regardless if a family is selecting the Hybrid Learning Model or eLearning model. I completely understand the angst this unknown creates. There are decisions to be made, and not a lot of time to make them. Transportation is incredibly limited making this even more difficult for working families. And many parents are trying to find child care options for at-home learning days.
Our world is simply not the same as it was six months ago. It’s stressful, it’s frustrating and our families and staff are sad, angry, confused -- emotions are running the gamut. But it’s times like this where the only way we will get through this is together, as a united community. Together we can brainstorm solutions. Together we can form partnerships. Together we can support one another through difficult times.
Last week I was disheartened to learn that a sign at one of our elementary schools was defaced with the wording “Defund DCSD - Fire Teachers.”
The decision to return to school via a Hybrid Learning Model was an incredibly difficult one. I, along with my cabinet, made the recommendation to our Board of Education, who then approved that recommendation. The meeting took eight hours signaling this was not easy and there was much to contemplate.
But at no time was this decision made by our teachers, principals, or other staff members.
Our teachers are also struggling. They want to be in the classroom with their students. It’s what they do. Yet, our teachers also have children at home, elderly family members, or are, themselves, considered high risk for COVID-19. None of this is easy for our teachers, and I’m incredibly disappointed to see anger being directed their way.
Our teachers are not deciding whether schools return in-person or not. Our teachers are not deciding if face coverings must be worn inside schools. Rather, they are focusing on how to provide each of our 68,000 students with the highest-quality public education despite the unprecedented circumstances.
This is a tough time for all of us. DCSD leadership will continue to work through these difficult decisions and constant changes that come as a result of a global pandemic. As we move through these unchartered waters, I ask for kindness and grace. Our focus has always been - and will always be - on doing what is best for our students and their future. And I hope we can continue to partner together in this Unity of Purpose.
Proud to serve as your superintendent,
Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Douglas County School District