Letter from Ms. Cuccia to Parents - March 16, 2020
March 16, 2020
Dear Link Family and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and in loving, calm surroundings! It is with understanding and compassion that I speak with you today, not only as your Principal, but as a parent, grandparent, friend and member of our community. “Parenting and Teaching” are the noblest of professions carrying immeasurable love, joy, responsibility and endless challenges in normal times. Taking on this unprecedented COVID-19 virus challenge together, let us remain informed, hopeful, calm and positive as we support our children and one another.
Within our Learning Environment, our teachers and support staff have been working collaboratively with me to navigate this new instructional delivery through remote/distant learning. I am so proud of the work of our dedicated and caring staff in designing developmentally appropriate, differentiated and enriching learning activities in formats that their students have been using in class! Our special education teachers and AIS Teams have planned alongside teachers to continue to address the needs of their students. The initial letter from your child’s teacher describes these lessons and activities and provides contact information. In addition, our special area teachers and psychologist/student assistance counselor team have provided you with links to information and activities to address the needs of the “whole child” —academic, physical, artistic, and emotional! To support us, our District Leadership and Curriculum Teams have been providing guidance, resources and developing supports to make this remote work relevant and meaningful to our students. You will find the District’s Learning Resources link most helpful and easy to navigate. At times a popular phrase can be overused, but it this case, it is appropriate to say “It takes a whole village” to care for our children.
FreAs a parent, you know your children and their needs better than anyone. Continue with your established family routines, guide them through their schoolwork and physical activities, gently support them in understanding all the changes and how we are working as parents, school, community and country to overcome this COVID-19 virus and make them feel safe again. Take time for yourself as your responsibilities as parent have now increased to include those of a teacher! Make family fun and laughter an integral part of your family routines! Do not let your children or you become overwhelmed by any work or activities. It may get hectic at times! Look and listen for signs of anxiety and reach out to us; we are here to help you. Be patient and hopeful that this “new normal” is only temporary and the children can safely return to school soon. Please let your children know that I miss them and look forward to seeing them eagerly return to school with Big Smiles and “Elbow Bumps.”
If you recall, in my letter in November announcing my retirement, I said “let’s make this year the most exciting and memorable one ever.” This “virus” is a most unwelcome “intruder” to my plans. As an optimist and believer, I am hopeful that in the coming weeks we will usher out this “intruder,” restore our Link School and Family to a joyful, enriching Learning Community, and create exciting and precious memories together.
Please take care, be safe, and stay healthy.
Fondly and with “Elbow Bumps”
Francine T. Cuccia