Head of School's Message: March 23

Fred Rogers once said, “In time of need, look for the helpers.” Chandler’s faculty, staff and administrators are here to help you. You are members of a thriving community, and you are not alone. There’s a bright side. Families are spending more time together, and there’s time for everyone to learn new skills. I am determined to learn to play the school song on the harmonica before school resumes.

 

The first week of Chandler-at-Home has been easier for some than for others. Let us know how things are going and where we can make improvements in our online delivery. As you know, we cannot be all things to all people, and we recognize the challenges of having to necessitate shifting the responsibility of the academic program with parents at home. Providing your child with a program of the highest quality is our mission, at school, and at home. We are listening to your feedback and assessing to evolve our virtual learning program.

Our teachers, led by Jill Bergeron and Emily Brown, have done a remarkable job working to fulfill Chandler’s mission at this challenging time. Jill and Emily will continue to communicate with you about the program regularly.

 

Several families with young children in our community have both parents working in healthcare. We are making arrangements to help them by providing tutoring support as we remain compliant with the stay-at-home order. If you are aware of other Chandler families needing additional assistance, please let me know.

 

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s sobering prediction that California schools would not be re-opening before the end of the school year served notice that the closure will be longer than we first anticipated. We are not in a position yet to make a specific determination, but given what we know now, a return before May 11 at the earliest is unlikely. Chandler will act in concert with local schools before deciding to return, but we’re looking at a marathon, not a sprint, and we need to pace ourselves.

 

Chandler’s Social-Emotional Coordinator Adrienne Hollingsworth will host three Zoom call-ins for parents on Thursday, March 26, to talk with you about the social and emotional impact of school being closed. If you have questions that you would like Adrienne to address during the calls, please send them to me before Thursday, and I will pass them on to her.

 

 

You may use the links above or copy and paste the URL into your browser. 

 

I will host a K-8 parent Zoom call-in every Thursday evening from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. for anyone who wants to join. I will answer any questions you have and talk with you about how things are going. 

On Friday afternoon, I went for a walk around the neighborhood and around the Rose Bowl. Quite by chance, I met three Chandler families at a safe social distance who were riding bikes, walking their dogs, and enjoying the fresh spring air as part of their daily PE lesson. It was wonderful to see them. We are isolated from each other as we take shelter from the storm, but it’s good to get outside and remind ourselves that spring is here, and we are in this together as a community.