What Lies Ahead

We have made it to the end of the first 9-weeks of the school year. It's hard to believe that the year is 25% over. In some ways, it is a true blessing that we have made it this far. We have fought against the pandemic and the endless demands on how we change instruction. On the other hand, we know that we have so much more work to do if we are going to make students successful. If that was not hard enough, we have what is perhaps the most contentious election of our lifetimes on us now as well. So many people are passionate about their political beliefs right now. North Carolina has become a battleground state for federal elections and we are inundated with political ads and everything else that comes with candidates spending money and time to try to get your vote. In so many ways the political events of our times have influenced how we feel about the medical and social events of our times and have made them harder for all of us. 

At a recent principal's meeting, we discussed the policy on political statements in schools. Dr. Miller encouraged us to say something to our school staff about being civil and avoiding conflict over politics in schools. While I'm excited that others are excited about voting, it's sad to feel that we have to remind adults to be kind and considerate of one another. But just like the end of the school will arrive, so will November 4th. It will end and when it does, we are going to have to remember what we have in common instead of what we don't agree on anymore. We are going to have to go back to watching regular commercials instead of political ads. We are going to have to get along. And while that may seem a little scary for what lies ahead of us, remember that we made it through the start of this school year and we certainly didn't think that would happen either. 

So I'm not going to send you an email about being careful about voicing your political beliefs. This blog post will suffice. The message that I hope we all get is not to be careful about what we say that may offend each other and instead, think about what you can say to support each other, especially those that are different than you. No matter what happens in a few weeks, we will undoubtedly need one another to get through the rest of the school year.