Dear Parents
We are now into day 112 of the lockdown process
and whilst numbers are certainly rising and there are concomitant concerns, I
am encouraged by the positive way you are engaging with the challenges inherent
in bringing your children to school each day.
Our school is in a particularly unique situation.
Being a small school we have been able to comply fully, with all of the
recommendations/requirements of the World Health Organization / Health
Department/Department of Education and related Medical sources in terms of how
to deal with the Pandemic in our school. Indeed, we have now been open for a
number of weeks and whilst many schools have been forced to close for periods
of time subsequent to their opening and Covid19 positive cases, we have
certainly been very blessed with being able to stay open and Covid free.
It is though of concern as we realize that
South Africa, and in our case, Limpopo, has seen an escalation in numbers of
infected people and in some cases sadly, deaths. We therefore continue to
monitor both our own situation very closely as well as those of other schools
and of course what the various Departments are saying. Please be assured that
the lives of your children, the staff and you are of paramount importance and we will not take any unnecessary risks in continuing to stay open.
Obviously, the mere fact of being open is a
risk, but then so is any contact with “the outside world” per se. Going to the
shops, travelling in a taxi, going to work and numerous other activities will
always expose us to risk. Perhaps though
we do need to reflect on the concept of risk versus closure of the school
and/or sequestering ourselves away until the pandemic is over.
We understand, according to epidemiologists,
and scientists across the world, that unless we experience “herd immunity” or a
vaccine is found (and produced in sufficient quantities to supply the world),
Covid will continue to haunt us for many months to come. This means we need to
learn to understand how we are to live with it and/or any future attack on
mankind in whatever form it may arise.
We are, as has been told, living in a new normal society. What this is,
is still growing and manifesting itself. Each day produces new challenges.
It is both daunting and yet exciting. The world
is changing. We are changing. Adapting. Today is different to yesterday and
tomorrow will also be different in many respects. Don’t stress though,
scientists tell us we are only using some 6-8% of our brains so we have plenty
space left to fill with new knowledge and ways of doing things.
For our precious children who are growing up in
this new world, bear in mind they easily adapt and only become confused,
stressed and alienated if we, as adults wrongly share our adult fears and
concerns to create anxiety. Rather share with them your excitement. Your
willingness to be a part of the new and fascinating stage they will act out
their lives on. It is their world more than it is yours! You have grown up. You
have produced offspring. Your task is to nurture and grow them.
It is not the time to hide them away. To place
them in sanitized cotton wool. For there, in a sterile environment they will
not grow.
Schools provide that rich, vibrant stimulation
they need. Young people need to be with each other. They need to interact. To laugh,
move, feel their bodies relate to each new activity and allow their minds to
occupy the academic and physical spaces school offers.
Home schooling does not provide a real world.
It is a selfish shrinking of reality into a cocoon of apparent safety. Apparent
only, for outside of that cocoon is abundant life with all of its wildness, its
love, its possibilities, and yes, its dangers.
It is time to embrace Covid19 and the new world
it offers each and every one of us. The incredible blessings we have been able
to experience with what “lockdown” has brought. Your children (and you) now
breathe an air which is fresher, cleaner than it has ever been, especially in
our cities. How amazing it has been to actually hear the sound of the soft wind
through the trees, birds chirping and how the grass crunches underfoot when
crisped with cold frost. Do we really miss the noise of a thousand revving,
polluting diesel and petroleum engines as we rest? I think not! Indeed, we know
that the conversion of fuel to heat and energy produces gases which reduce the
ability to think and for brains to develop, particularly in the young.
Yes, we are ever more aware now of the value of
washing hands and keeping clean. No not using sanitizers! These are artificial
substitutes and should die a natural death, hopefully soon to be used no more
as we realize that the human body needs to be exposed to natural elements, to
viruses of many kinds, so that we grow stronger and more able to resist
illnesses. We cannot sanitize the world! And surely, surely, we do not want to.
But enough!
For now.
