Hope in a Time of COVID

Hope in a Time of COVID

Hope. Is it possible to be optimistic when on a personal and global scale we are experiencing catastrophic loss of life, economic devastation and social isolation? I have had this conversation numerous times with family, friends and colleagues. I certainly do not have any definitive answers, and, like most everyone, I have had to balance my feelings of intense grief for the tragic experiences of so many around the world and my duty to those about whom I care most: my families - the Bowman/​Pickard clans and the Wardlaw+Hartridge community. Is there a way to stay encouraged in these challenging times? I believe there is.

As Upper School Head, I have the privilege of witnessing acts of care, joy, selflessness, support, giving and love, to name a few, every day from students, parents and faculty. Let me share a few from the past several weeks that keep me encouraged and demonstrate the indomitable W+H spirit.

I remain so very hopeful when

• More than I can remember in my lifetime spent in schools, folks are genuinely checking on each other and offering support in both words and deeds;
• Teachers give up their vacation and weekends to try to do the impossible - completely transform themselves as educators;
• Students, with great trust and courage, continue their learning in this entirely new way, and do so with positivity and earnestness;
• We have the honor to watch our students share their musical gifts in our virtual Music Recital - a true manifestation of the “show must go on”;
• Faculty and advisors find new ways to continue to stay engaged in their students’ lives and emotional well-being outside the classroom;
• Our seniors work with us to find alternative ways to celebrate milestones and new ways to preserve honored traditions; 
• My conversations with parents focus on moving learning forward, not outcomes;
• Teachers with young ones at home perform miracles by teaching their children andour children;
• An international sports figure and philanthropist spends an hour with our teenagers to inspire them to never give up on their dreams;
• The Parents’ Association brings our community together to play online bingo;
• Students spend a Friday night watching movies together through the use of technology;
• Students and faculty continue to finds ways to support our first responders, folks less fortunate than ourselves, and seniors who are truly isolated;
• Parents have overwhelmingly given faculty the time and support to learn how to create a curriculum and pedagogy compatible with an online learning platform;
• Student athletes continue to train hard because they are dedicated to the process as much as the competition;
• A student sends me an email to ask me how I am doing.

My mother always preached, offer solutions not problems.  She would be so very proud to know that I have found such a home as Wardlaw+Hartridge where we embrace that ethos.  Where, despite the palpable sadness permeating the fabric of our society, we have found ways to endure and dare I say shine.  Hope lives.

I dedicate this piece to Katharine Moir McCready Bowman, whose love of family, abiding pragmatism and boundless optimism set a shining example for all who knew her.  Rest in peace, Mama.