It is indeed fitting that Mother’s Day came right after Teacher Appreciation Week, because so many Walgrove warriors are both mothers and teachers: Teachers who are also mothers have had to teach and work, while mothers who are now also teachers have had to work and teach.
No matter your family’s situation, we are all working diligently to adjust to the COVID-19 school closure, which has required all of us to rise to a new occasion where we must exercise immense creativity while sacrificing physical proximity.
Harvard Medical School says that a hug held for 20 seconds releases much-loved oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, and makes people feel loved and close.
So, hug those in your quarantine circle for 20 seconds several times a day and read aloud and play board games and cook together and laugh.
Because what you cannot do through Zoom is touch.
During World War II, soldiers relied on letters to feel connectedness and a sense of purpose. Because in order to feel that your life is worth sacrifice, one must feel that your life matters.
So, stay connected to people who are faraway through letters -- and, where letters take too long, take to Zoom.
During the Zooms that I have personally experienced over this past month or so, I have witnessed, up close, the innovation of children. Kids build forts and roller coasters and wire-hanger bicycles and cardboard skyscrapers and obstacle courses and hope.
Like scientists harness the sun and wind to electrically power cities, let’s harness the creativity of children to power our houses and our hope.
Thank you, mothers, for your unique capacity to cultivate the hope of children and to keep all of our lives together during difficult times.
Thank you, fathers, for loving our mothers who do so.
And thank you, children, for being the future and everything we exist for. Walgrove is because of you.
Here are some announcements for the last month of school:
Yearbook dedications are due May 15. Please click here to dedicate a page (or a portion thereof) to your special kiddo. Let’s turn lemons into lemonade and make this year one to remember! (Check out photos of our kiddos here.)
Fundraising is down -- of course! Unemployment across the nation is the highest it has been in decades.
While many Walgrove families have either stopped their monthly FOW donations or cut them in size, our expenses have not receded. We continue to employ Francesca, Johnny B, Donzell, Farmer Matt, Coach Rachel, Ms. Barbara and Ms. Macias. They are vital to our essence. They are a HUGE part of what makes Walgrove Walgrove.
So, if you are in the unique position of thriving during this time, please consider increasing your donation to offset losses. In the spirit of this, I have increased my own monthly donation by 50% for the next three years. Please reach out to FOW president Emily Barton at emily.barton@wearewalgrove.com to donate today.
Please subscribe to my blog: PrincipalKittelson.blogspot.com. Enter your email address underneath the blog’s title, verify your email, and voila. This way, you are sure to stay apprised of happenings.
Another distribution day is happening this Thursday, May 14, by appointment. The purpose of these Distribution events is to provide to students with the devices and materials they need to attend virtual school this Spring and beyond. These days are not days to collect completed work and projects, as there will be time in the future for that. These days are to make sure that everyone has what they need to move forward. There will be other events in the future for families and teachers to come and collect possessions and keepsakes.
If you need a tech device and/or something from your child’s desk that is required to move forward, please make an appointment through email to andrea.kittelson1@lausd.net. Last Thursday, we served approximately 40 families.This Thursday, I imagine we will do the same.
Thank you for your heartfelt partnership.
Happy Mother’s Day, and many blessings!
Dr. Andrea Kittelson
