Welcome from the Head

In her 1990 book Education for Life: The Modern Learning Community, Annemarie Roeper shared her understanding of the obligation we have to our children; she wrote, “Humanity has made two promises to its children.  The first is to prepare a world which accepts them and provides them with opportunities to grow and create in safety.  The other is to help them develop their whole being to the fullest in every respect.  Education is the vehicle through which we try to keep these promises.”    

 

We know the delicate balance that parents are trying to manage as they plan for the fall.  The public health crisis our nation faces makes the opening of school in each region of the country a complex matter. Roeper Task Forces have worked throughout the summer to construct a thoughtful plan that reflects Annemarie’s commitment to children and at the same time embraces the most current research, medical knowledge, and best practices available.  We appreciate the complexity of our times. 

 

Our decision to move forward with the Hybrid Plan to start the 2020-21 school year reflects the best knowledge and insight we have today; we are keenly aware of the need to be flexible and to continue to assess the conditions in our area. We believe that providing students with the opportunity to be on campus, to be with teachers and friends in person, is critical to their social and emotional well-being. The Hybrid Plan provides this opportunity and at the same time allows for families who need or want to have their children at home the option of participating in the Roeper Home Learning Program 2.0. 

 

I am grateful every day to be with you and a part of this community as we wade through a global pandemic and, simultaneously, a fight against racism, both attempting to engender distance and separation.  The interdependent nature of the Roeper community means that we understand and embrace our responsibility to care for one another.  As we prepare for our next and most unusual journey through the school calendar, we do so with the clarity that our community is strongest when we hold each other close and see the strength in being One Roeper.