International Day of Peace

September 21st is the International Day of Peace. "...The United Nations General Assembly declared it a day "devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace." For world peace, the United Nations has called upon on all nations to put their weapons down and reaffirm their commitment towards global harmony." (Online)

Wouldn't it be something if we could all set aside our differences for a day and commit to a day of peace and harmony with everyone we come into contact with?

At present there is no shortage of conflict, disagreement and disharmony. As a matter of fact, conflict and disagreements are big business in America. It makes for great television fodder serving to fuel the national news cycle with a deluge of non-stop visuals and news footage. Elected officials are also doing a wonderful job exemplifying the contention derived from conflict and disagreement. We have become so accustom to the ongoing exposure, it feels as though we have become desensitized to the resulting hostilities.

What if for one single day, we set aside our differences and our conflicts, we brush aside the disharmony and discord and take a moment to pause and reflect on seeking first to understand and then to be understood?

What if for one day, we opted to share, with everyone in our circle, a national day of harmony where we turn off the fear mongering on television, disconnect from the negativity on social media and just celebrate a day of harmony and peace with those in our proximity?

What if we committed to doing this for just one week?

Stay healthy, stay safe!

Perspective, Given the Circumstances.

We are all experiencing a radical shift from normalcy in both our personal & professional lives due to the pandemic. Almost overnight we have had to make radical changes in how we deliver education, and with this new method of delivery, welcome a new normal.

Teachers have been called upon to step to the plate and take on the challenge of delivering lessons full-time in the virtual world. Teachers must continue to ensure that a relevant & rigorous course of study is maintained, student attendance & engagement is appropriately monitored and timely assessments are administered so they can determine student progress. Teachers should be recognized for doing an outstanding job, given the circumstances.

Students have been rocked by the long reaching effects of COVID-19 and its impact on their education. Students have had to make some serious adjustments in their lives to stay on top of their studies. The home front is not always the best place for studying, especially with unexpected distractions like younger siblings running around. We all know peer interaction is critical to a students holistic development and many of our students have come to realize that their health could be jeopardized if they follow their instincts to be outside socializing. Surprisingly, most students have stepped to the plate and delivered as best they can, given the circumstances.

Parents have had to adjust to a new reality as they continue to champion for their children. In addition to challenges of normal daily life, parents are now burdened with the added responsibility of ensuring children keep up with their virtual schooling often while they are at work. The ongoing sacrifices parents continue to make for their kids can be daunting under normal conditions so once we add the stressors associated with COVID-19, it should be easy to see why parents deserve to be recognized & celebrated for their unconditional commitment & support, especially now, given the circumstances.       

Summary. 

COVID-19 has forced most of us to adjust to a new normal. This new normal represents change and this change is often accompanied with stress. Experience has taught that there is a direct link between educational success & the collective effort of a community made up of teachers, students and parents working together with a single goal in mind, in this case, the High School diploma. As a community, we will definitely get through this horrible moment in history, but it'll be a lot easier if we do it together, especially now, given the circumstances.

Stay healthy, Stay safe!

Dr. Eric F. Evans

Assistant Principal