Page 39 - EdViewptsSpring2021

Emails and phone calls started to Counselors began to virtually
become regular. But not in the way meet with students struggling with It was early spring
one would expect. Rather, more the sudden transition. In addition, during virtual learn-
often than not, it was from parents in appropriate settings, parents
with concerns and worries about the were invited to attend as well. In ing that we realized
following: order for students to succeed, district administration
1. Wondering how they could it was imperative for parents to needed to pivot and
effectively be their child’s teacher have the confidence to support be a different type
2. Learning how Google Classroom their children.
works 3. Acknowledging the strain and of leader for Holland
3. Connectivity and availability of hardships the shift to virtual Township. I would ar-
learning has had on all members
the Internet of the family. Parents, like gue parents/ guard-
4. Social isolation of their child students, need to be assured that ians needed social-
5. Providing the nutrition their they are doing a great job! We
children need all thrive in environments where emotional support
It was early spring during virtual permission is granted and words more than students.
learning that we realized district of encouragement are the norm.
administration needed to pivot and be 4. Communication. As district assignments when time was more
a different type of leader for Holland leaders, we owe it to our families readily available. Also, if there
Township. I would argue parents/ to share crucial information as were tangible items teachers
guardians needed social-emotional soon as we know it. This allows needed their students to have, we
support more than students. So what for proper planning, especially placed large bins on the school’s
did we do? for families with smaller children porch for parents to retrieve
1. The role of the IT Team shifted who need the assistance of the items when they could.
to an “Amazon Prime one-day others with virtual learning. In Recognizing the plight families
delivery-type” department. They addition, teachers asked parents faced, providing extended time
delivered Chromebooks/iPads to what they needed in order to plan helped ease anxiety.
students in need. They provided for the day-to-day. Our Grade 1 6. Food/Nutrition. With families
hot spots for families without Teachers, for example, learned experiencing financial hardship,
internet access. They listened that parents would like the links/ district administration made sure
and coached parents as they downloads for the next day’s students received daily meals.
navigated the world of technology lesson the night before. This, in Through coordinated efforts with
and Google Classroom. Their turn, allowed them to prepare for food service providers, meals
involvement and support cannot a smooth start at the beginning were packed and delivered to
be underscored enough. We of the day. Having parents homes.
found that in order to quell as equal partners because of The role of a school leader is ever-
parental anxieties one needed to, ongoing communication helped evolving. The events of the past year
for the moment, redefine the job tremendously. brought to the forefront the importance
description of the IT department. 5. The gift of time. While a typical of district administrators leading with
To this day, Holland Township’s IT school day has a start and end care and compassion. We aren’t
Department continues to support time, during these challenging just present for the students when
the community in this capacity times, we made simple they are in school; we are partners
2. Broadening the role of School exceptions that proved to be with every single family. I will take
Counselors. While the counselors beyond beneficial. Teachers were lessons learned from this past year
continued to meet with their encouraged to, when appropriate, and continue working with families to
various groups virtually, it became disable the due dates in Google strengthen the home-school-home
evident that a new batch of Classroom so students and relationship.
students needed SEL support. parents had time to work on

About the Author

Susan Wardell is the Principal/Curriculum Coordinator in Holland Township School. She is the happiest
when supporting teachers, students, and families. She lives in Morris County with her husband and
daughter. Twitter: @swardell76

Educational Viewpoints -37- Spring 2021