Riding the 4th Wave

Ontarians are now riding the 4th wave of COVID-19, and I think we have learned a few things from the previous three. 

For some Greenwood students, this September is their first time seeing many of their classmates in person. Last year's cohorts (I can’t wait to eliminate this word from my lexicon) and government-mandated closures mean that students are only now having long-awaited meetings and reunions with their fellow students. This is one of the reasons this school year feels very different from last year -- in a good way. Our return to daily in-person learning is a moment that we have been waiting for. 

Over the course of the pandemic, I’ve been looking for ways to find the fuel I need to get through this challenging time; being back in school with students and staff is a big source of that fuel! Being in the building as a whole community, along with the reintroduction of athletics (it will have been 579 days since our last game when the Grizzlies play tomorrow) and Outdoor Education (our last week-long trips took place in January 2020) are fuelling students and staff alike, and students are enjoying a richer school experience already.

As you know, each day carries some risk related to COVID-19. I need to ensure, as Principal, that I mitigate those risks with a prudent and cautious approach while recognizing that co-curricular activities are a vital part of the school experience. In-person social interactions, athletics, arts, service learning, Outdoor Education, and events like Friday’s Terry Fox Run all play a critical role in adolescent development, and we need to seize these opportunities when they are permitted by ministry guidelines. Doing so seems like the only way to ride out these pandemic waves. We know that comfort levels vary and we encourage families to continue making the best decisions for their situations with respect to co-curriculars.

I look forward to learning more from Dr. Lisa Damour today as she helps us to transition back to in-person learning. Dr. Damour will shed light on some of the most important topics for parents of teens today and help us to gain a greater understanding of the teen experience. With her insights on mental health and how adolescents are coping with the challenges of COVID-19, Dr. Damour will help us all put more tools in our toolbox for supporting our children and students in the months ahead.

As always, I remain optimistic for the school year and am here to ride out these pandemic waves alongside each member of our Greenwood community.