2020 has been a year we will never forget. From the onset of the virus in March, we have experienced virtual learning, social isolation, quarantine, loss of jobs, death and food depravation. Some folks would say that “our freedom has been taken away.” The pandemic changed how we do everything in our lives – often making us wear different hats and change out our titles. For example, once called “mom,” we are now “homeschooling teachers.” Though it may seem really bad right now, there is a silver lining. What is that, you might ask?  How can good come out of living through COVID-19? For one, our students and many families have learned how to navigate a virtual environment that was foreign to most people prior to the pandemic. Many of us have toiled for hours trying to make it all work while our teachers were driven to make their classrooms interactive, exciting and able to capture student learning. The skills gained by learning Google Classroom and Meets, Jamboard and all the other virtual learning platforms can be used as students traverse to college and the world of work. 

For many, learning about all these virtual platforms has not been easy. I have sat through more tutorials than I ever want to think about but then I think about how tech savvy I have become. Your child has acquired all the same skills and most likely is much more talented than you or I are at using them!!! 

Families have shared how they have spent more time learning together. The Learning Tree Preschool went virtual in March, transforming into a two-generation approach—parents and their 3- or 4-year-old learning together.  Families learned to speak other languages, learned about their child’s growth and development and how to support it, along with ways to help their child be successful in school.  Likewise, families had the opportunity to play more board games, have had more family discussions to foster appreciation for what we are thankful for, and of course, growing, gardening and reaping vegetables this past summer. 

The new skills students have learned include developing resiliency and self-regulation. Being able to monitor behavior, emotions and impulses and to plan and problem-solve is an important early skill. Perseverance occurs when your child has the skills to overcome obstacles and barriers. Overcoming obstacles helps children be successful. For many children, it is about when to eat a snack or lunch, how to act in social situations or how to solve programs within families.  

As the New Year starts, we can be thankful for our families, our community and for the new vaccine. Though the winter will be long, students will begin returning to hybrid (in-school) or continue with distance learning on January19. Making new friends and meeting their 2020-21 teachers in person will be exciting and invigorating to the learning process. Students at the high school will begin a new term with new classes and the meeting of new friends.  

Lastly, as 2020 ends and 2021 begins, we all need a dose of optimism. Thinking about new opportunities and possibilities over the next few months will be the essence of what keeps us going and to be a strong vibrant community. Happy 2021.

Anne E. Mead, Ed. D., is the administrator for the Early Childhood Education and Extended Learning Programs of the Danbury Public Schools. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact her at 203-830-6508 or meadan@danbury.k12.ct.us.