Of Mice and Men...update! SB 4-17-2020

 “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men 

  Gang aft a-gley.”

As the scottish poet, Robert Burns, mused...our best laid plans can certainly go awry.  Have no fear; the title of this update does not refer to John Steinbeck’s novel so you should not be concerned about the ending.  It just seemed the most fitting title for this week as a couple of things have not gone according to plan…

All of our Gr8 families received an email from me earlier today regarding the update of the refunds on the DC trip...that speaks for itself. On a brighter note, I am very grateful for the emails that I have already received expressing appreciation and understanding throughout this very difficult process. 

Since the beginning of this closure, we have been focused on trying to maintain and nurture all of the positive relationships that exist at Stony Brook.  I was a bit disheartened today to hear from a few of our teachers in different grades that some of our students have not been submitting their own work during this remote learning process but “borrowing” the work of others.  They were quite disappointed as it was not the behavior that they would typically see if we were all meeting together face to face at school.  As our focus continues to stay on “Relationships before Rigor” and “Maslow before Bloom” as described in an earlier update, it is sad to think that some students might be resorting to shortcuts or disingenuous means just to complete assignments.  This remote learning period is an attempt to engage and support our students, it is not about accountability and if students feel pressure to cheat in any way it is truly a loss to themselves. I know the majority of our students are taking their learning seriously and doing their best. A number of parents have reached out over the recent weeks to express their gratitude for how their child's teachers have been communicating and how this process has been supportive, flexible and reassuring. I don’t typically preach to the masses when addressing a few individuals would have a more positive outcome; however, since I can’t visit them in a classroom or coach up a small group of individuals making questionable decisions, I share the information with you and simply ask you to check in with the learners in your house to provide some moral support and additional encouragement to make good choices and participate as best they can, when they can, so they can hold their heads up high and be proud of the way in which they approached this process.

A parent shared a wonderful article with me after reading last week’s update.  It really speaks to the same things that we have been trying to champion in this process: You Are Not Your Child’s Teacher

Hopefully, you will find some comfort and encouragement in that and glean the more important messages of what we might want our children to take away from this time period once we reach the other side.

Enjoy a long weekend...if that is indeed a thing anymore...since the building is already closed...maybe we should celebrate Monday’s holiday by keeping our computers closed for the day...I might try that!

Chris

Dr. Christopher Chew

Principal

Stony Brook School