I was at home working on my car the other day and reflecting on our year so far. Something hit me: it feels like we've had a whole year's worth of excitement, pain, gratitude, fun and problems, and we're only 6 months in! Students are tired, teachers are exhausted and I'm 100% certain that parents are both tired and exhausted. Although this can be a bad thing, I think we can use it to our benefit. 

Having people to support you, people to depend on is vital. I think to my immediate group of support people- this year has been the same for them. Challenging is an understatement but we are still standing and smiling (most of the time). Without the help of people around us in these crazy times, we would certainly fall and it would be extremely hard to stand back up and carry on. I think there is a real strength in numbers and having people around you that you trust is very empowering. 

We have seen so many changes this year and I am so proud of our teaching and support staff here at PPN. Everyone has stepped up and just got the job done with minimal fuss. Miss Bernoth spoke of gratitude last week, this is what I am grateful for. Staff that can come together to keep a school running, even when pandemics are thrown at us! When we came to the staff with ideas in discussions we had, everyone was so supportive and for this, I am very thankful to be surrounded by such amazing people to work with. 

This week, I challenge you to look back at your 2020 journey so far. We are only halfway through, what will the rest of your year look like? Will you depend on your support people or will you be a support person for someone else? I trust that together, we can continue to be here for our kids and that we have a great and productive remainder of the term.

Jason Davis