REFLECTIONS AS WE LOOK AHEAD
President, Board Of Trustees June 2021
Dear Center Community, During the past year, heartfelt expressions of empathy and compassion have become everpresent. However, someone recently said to me with a worndown sigh of embarrassed fatigue, “I don’t know how many more times I can watch the news or read an article that opens with the phrase, ‘In a year like no other…” But, we must acknowledge, it has been a year like no other. The past year has been inundated with health concerns, social justice issues, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and political strife. Everyone has suffered and sacrificed; some more than others. We extend deep sympathy to the families and friends who have endured compounding and, at times, tragic circumstances. Through it all, and with profound respect for the challenges of the year gone by, we should take a step back and acknowledge the ever-present resilience of The Center. At a time of isolation and upended dayto-day rhythms, our school has created new and compelling formats for connection, compassion, and community. First, we applaud the resilience, flexibility, and committed understanding of parents and grandparents who altered their schedules multiple times, pulled through with infringements on their professional lives, and partnered with the school to provide a meaningful remote learning environment. For parents and other adults in our community, the Community Engagement and Education Series has created a robust forum to listen, learn, and share regarding salient issues including social justice, presidential politics, parenting advice, and mental health. Additionally, our administrators have reimagined school life multiple times over, from developing an approach to distance learning, to working and reworking students’ classroom schedules, and to retrofitting our campus to allow for a safe return to school.
The school’s ability to innovate and navigate through the changes speaks volumes about its commitment and expertise. Most importantly, our gifted teachers and specialists have miraculously given our students a compelling and consistent classroom experience that advanced the curriculum and fostered a joyful bond of community and friendship. For many children, a Zoom screen was their only connection to the outside world for many months, and, as adults, they will look back with deep admiration for this special group of educators. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible work of Reveta Bowers and her team. At every turn, Reveta has approached her work with vigorous conviction to provide an extraordinary experience for students while providing the important support that allows teachers and specialists to do what they do so well. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are forever grateful for Reveta’s vision and determination to continue to uphold our school’s mission and to exemplify our core values. Furthermore, we commend the school’s thoughtful and deliberate approach to navigating the pandemic. The team at The Center has continually delivered an outstanding academic program while incorporating the ever-changing health and safety protocols as determined by government officials and medical experts. As this school year comes to a close, for those students graduating and to those families departing The Center, we do not yet know how this year will be remembered in hindsight, but looking ahead, we anticipate hearing about your many future accomplishments. For the rest of us, we look ahead to the next school year with tempered but optimistic and uplifting faith in our community’s resilience. Until then, we wish you and your family a peaceful and healthy summer. Best regards,
David Messinger President, Board of Trustees The Center for Early Education
