With less than a week before class starts, the first order of business at Gateway Elementary is to get teachers energized.
Inside the school library, principal Ashley Jackson turns the first staff meeting of the year into a pep rally — tossing confetti in the air and leading teachers into a brief dance party.
“I wanted to set the stage that we are making a comeback because last year was hard on everybody,” Jackson says. “So, we need to make that comeback a time to celebrate and to set the standard of who we are and where we’re going.”
Jackson reminds educators of the challenges they overcame last year — like teaching online and reopening safely. She says that’s important to remember as they prepare for another grueling year full of uncertainties.
“We’ve been through it, so it’s no longer a new path,” Jackson says. “It’s just how do we refine it and how do we make it better.”
The new school years comes as COVID cases are on the rise and health protocols tighten again in the city. Like last year, Jackson knows school plans could change at any moment.
The district’s swift move to a universal mask policy last week is the latest example of the uncertainty around the school year.
Although sudden changes like that keep staff on their toes, Jackson says she takes it in stride.
Over in the music room, Gwenn Fitzpatrick is just happy to teach using real instruments again. This past year, Fitzpatrick taught through an online program to prevent the spread of Covid.
This school year will be the first time in the pandemic that her music room is back open. At the same time, Fitzpatrick recognizes that she might have to switch back to an online music program if the pandemic worsens.
“I understand things could change,” Fitzpatrick says. “We just do the best with what we’ve got to do, we owe it to every child to make it their best year.”
Correction: This story originally misspelled a name. Gwenn Fitzpatrick teaches music at Gateway Elementary.
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