Acknowledge the Loss - It Matters

While not unexpected, Governor Abbott's announcement that Texas schools would remain closed for the rest of the school year​ twisted the dagger that was already in the hearts of so many HS seniors and their families. It does not diminish the impact of any one else's situation to acknowledge that the loss of the entire spring of one's senior year in high school is an especially painful loss. I have every confidence in the capacity of the class of 2020 to adapt and grow through this experience, and I know that principals,  educators, and community members will come up with creatively supportive ways to conduct year end activities. But it is also important to acknowledge and allow room for the grieving that accompanies significant loss.
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I'm reminded of the 3rd stanza from Robert Frost's A Road Not Taken...

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

​The significance is that this year's class really has no choice but to take the road less traveled, and won't have the opportunity to take the first on another day. We cannot walk the journey for them, but we can walk along side with support and encouragement. And maybe someday when they look back on this time, they can say that made all the difference.