If there is any group of people that knows how rough the last year has been, it鈥檚 campus administrators. Principals, assistant principals and deans of instruction were integral in the success of students across 91制片厂 during the COVID-19 pandemic. To honor their hard work and commitment to their schools and students, the 91制片厂 school leadership team celebrated them with an afternoon program filled with laughter and well-deserved expressions of gratitude.
Interestingly enough, the program began with a concerto by a grand Steinway & Sons piano accompanied by a comical scene from the cartoon Tom & Jerry. Micah Green, fine arts coordinator of theatre and dance at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, hosted the event filled with giveaways, student performances and meet and greets with the audience.
Monologues, contemporary dances and musical performances by 91制片厂 high school students served as entertainment throughout the afternoon.
鈥淭he games, presentations and variety of performances throughout the day were absolutely amazing,鈥 said Dr. Toyia Curry, the dean at Blanton Elementary. 鈥淚t definitely pumped me up to go back to school next year. I鈥檓 ready for the kids to be back, and I can鈥檛 wait to interact with everybody. I鈥檓 even looking forward to getting into the classrooms and helping set up.鈥
The school leadership team of area superintendents had nothing but admiration for the campus administrators throughout the program.
鈥淵our leadership skillsets have been magnified this school year,鈥 said Dr. Kristina Turner, area superintendent. 鈥淵ou have leaned into skills you did not even know you had and have done it exceptionally well. For that we say thank you. Thank you for leading your staff and your community through a global pandemic. We鈥檙e proud to celebrate you and excited for what鈥檚 ahead.鈥
The praise party didn鈥檛 stop there. Each of the area superintendents expressed their thankfulness and appreciation for the school leaders.
鈥淚n education, we鈥檙e in the business of people,鈥 said Dr. T.J. Jarchow, area superintendent. 鈥淭hank you for every pivot you鈥檝e made, all the Zoom meetings you鈥檝e attended, and for all the hard work you鈥檝e done in this business to ensure our students were served throughout this challenging year.鈥
The many modifications that were made in the school year were unforeseen and challenging, but campus administrators handled every circumstance and change with poise and grace.
鈥淚鈥檝e told you time and time again, but the way you鈥檝e exercised your leadership muscles throughout this year has been impeccable,鈥 said Dr. Tracie Brown, chief schools officer. Inspired by a piece in the art gallery at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Brown spoke on how hope has been the glue that held the district together this year.
鈥淚f we had nothing else this year, we had to hold on to hope. Sometimes we were holding on by a thread and sometimes we had lots of it, but hope is what was able to bring us through every day of this journey. Hope should always remind of us of our bigger calling, and we have to continue to hold on to it if we want to keep succeeding as a district.鈥
In a year that has been nothing short of monumental, campus administrators pivoted and adjusted quickly to ensure the safety and success of each student in 91制片厂. The tenacity, grit, focus and passion they displayed during the school year did not go unnoticed, and they deserve the biggest thank you for keeping the wheels of 91制片厂 schools turning.