Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
July 29, 2021
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME
Page 19
Song lyrics reflect pandemic’s effect on Berthoud schools
B
ack in the early 70s when I was a young guy just starting my teaching career at Berthoud High School (BHS), I used to enjoy listening to the Bill Withers’ song “Lean on Me.” You probably know it. I’ve read and heard some references to it in the last 16 months as the country dealt with the pandemic. When the editor of the Surveyor asked me to write this column, reflecting on the last year-anda-quarter and sharing my thoughts about the upcoming school year, I thought of those lyrics and decided to let them guide my thoughts. “Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.” I don’t need to elaborate on the “pain and sorrow” our students, families, and staff endured as the pandemic so dramatically affected school as we knew it. We all acknowledge there has been plenty of both. “You just call on me when you need a hand.” With USDA funding, Thompson School District’s (TSD) Nutritional Services Department distributed 76,000 meals free of charge to Berthoud students during remote instruction. Using federal funding to add to the district’s supply of Chromebooks, TSD ensured every Berthoud student had a device they could use for remote learning and worked with area internet companies to provide service. As parents asked for ideas and activities to address their children’s social, emotional and recreational needs during remote learning, TSD provided weekly age-appropriate ideas and links. This summer 120 Berthoud kids participated in various summer school options designed to help them catch up or get excited about continuing learning in 2021-2022. “I’ll help you carry on.” Recognizing the critical role that athletics and other extracurricular activities play in the lives of secondary students, TSD joined other districts to offer opportunities for athletic competitions: Sports seasons occurred at different times than usual, spectator numbers were limited, and some other aspects were different. But despite so much uncertainty, Berthoud competitors shined as
they won numerous individual and team championships and awards. BHS teams also garnered Guest academic championships and received other recog- Columnist nition. “If we are wise, we know there’s always tomorrow.” Our students and staff exhibited remarkable resilience as they dealt with never-before challenges during the pandemic. So, what does “Tomorrow” look like? Elementary students will see increased emphasis on reading proficiency as their teachers continue to receive intensive professional development in the science of reading. Middle and high school students will experience an emphasis Stu on increased achievement as their teachers receive Boyd professional development to promote excitement and interest in learning. All staff will receive equity training as TSD promotes a fair chance of succeeding in school for all our students, training which will impact social and emotional learning and academics. And sports and activities will look much like they did pre-COVID. Students, staff and families will note improvements this fall in all four Berthoud schools as 2018 bond funds and BEST grant money have been used to improve facilities. (Thank you, Berthoud voters.) Berthoud Elementary and Ivy Stockwell students will enjoy fully completed additions. Berthoud has also received mechanical repairs and a new gym floor while Ivy now has an improved ventilation system. At Turner new lockers are on order, innovation labs have been refreshed, and many repairs and replacements have been completed. BHS students and families will enjoy new stadium lights at Max arr, new furniture in most classrooms, and polished concrete floors — beautiful and durable. Thanks to contributions from the Town of Berthoud and the Berthoud Schools Fund, Turner and BHS received TV projection systems. Bond funds provided both schools with secure vestibules to enhance safety. inally, TSD is in the final stages of ac uiring a school site in Farmstead. We’ll need to build there in not too many years. I know that 2021-2022 will be a great year for our kids. To repeat ill Withers, We know there’s always tomorrow. I’m confident that “Tomorrow” students will be in school every day and that the previous C ID restrictions will be significantly relaxed or eliminated. I know how eager our teachers are to interact in person with their students and how committed they are to provide high-quality instruction, yet being ever mindful of the academic, social and emotional toll that the last five uarters of school exacted. I’m looking forward to seeing parents and volunteers back in schools and to resuming active partnerships with businesses, higher education and the community to benefit our students. I can’t wait to attend plays, concerts, carnivals, athletic contests and other events at all four schools to cheer on our kids. I’m proud to represent Berthoud kids and the Berthoud community on the Thompson school board and to serve a district that values all students and staff so highly. We’ve come through a really tough time and have learned to count on each other. Please “Lean on Me” when I can help. Contact stu.boyd@thompsonschools.org.
Follow the Thompson School District on facebook and twitter @ThompsonR2J Visit their website at thompsonschools.org
