Hill said he went to the school board about taking the week off to explain what he has seen and what “he knows in his heart to be true,” that the staff, students, families and community is exhausted.
“Our families, community and nation asked us to be dedicated, to focus on the curriculum, to put our students first and to stay positive. I believe our staff has exceeded those expectations, but it is clear that the process has also taken its toll,” he said.
Beth Sebastian, who has a sixth grader at Horace Mann, said she is happy the district changed it from a three-day break to the entire week.
“This allows families to take the week and go out of town not feeling rushed. The students along with the teachers deserve the additional days,” she said.
As the coronavirus set in almost two years ago, Hill credits the pandemic as one of the reasons for the break. He says it’s been an uphill battle, but always had students at the center of district decisions.
Larry Marple, second grade teacher at Snowhill, said he feels the “wellness week” is a wonderful idea and will give everyone a much needed break.
“Over the past two years of this pandemic, teachers and families have been strained beyond the limit. First with virtual teaching that we were thrown into with very little preparation and training. Then, a year with some students being virtual and some being in-person and concerns of the spread of COVID among students, staff and families,” he said.
“It lets the staff and families know that Dr. Hill, the board of education and the administration realize the need for this break,” Marple added.
The district team has had to balance teaching in different ways due to the pandemic, especially with worrying about the health and safety of classrooms.
“While we waited for an end to be in sight, we knew that we had to stay determined for the students who depend on us: We will not tire. We will keep going. These are phrases we continue to tell ourselves as our team continues to face new challenges,” Hill said.
Hill said he encourages students and staff to use this time to rest and come back re-energized.
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