Let Me Tell You About Your Child's Teacher

I wanted to take a few moments to share with you how impressed I am with your child's teacher these days!  You see, they have been having a pretty tough year and it is probably going to get more difficult in the days ahead.  As you know, earlier this week the Board endorsed a plan to go to a single class per grade level next year.  The teachers have known since the first day of school this year that we were going to be faced with lay-offs in the spring.  Now they have an idea of how deep these cuts are going to be, and they are under a lot of stress.  Many of them will not be here next year, and they don't know who yet. That has yet to be determined.  But they keep coming to work everyday, smiling and providing a wonderful educational experience for your child.

There have been a number of very unfortunate incidents that have happened this year, but you really wouldn't know it by the passion and dedication that our staff shows each day they come to work.  I continue to be blessed with a staff that truly cares about one another, and although you don't always see it, they do.  I learned of one teacher who was in tears the other day because of the uncertainty that we are facing.  It was heart warming to hear of the interaction between this teacher and another staff member.  I have had staff members volunteer their jobs, with the hope of saving someone else's position.

Just today, we needed to cover some classes for an illness.  Typically we will hire out a substitute teacher whenever this happens.  In an effort to save money, I asked for volunteers to cover, and had more volunteers than I could use within five minutes.  These teachers had to sacrifice a prep period to do this work for us.

Indeed, these are tough times.  I try to take solace in the fact that all the schools in the city, public and parochial, are dealing with these exact same issues.  Some to a greater degree and some to a lesser degree.  I try to take solace in the fact that the decisions that we make today will put our school on solid financial footing for the future.  But just because it is the right thing, doesn't make it any easier.

I have no doubt in my mind that we will emerge from this a stronger institution.  But in the coming days, could you please pray for your child's teacher?