Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Dear Detroit Country Day School Families,
It is hard to believe that we are in the final two weeks of this unprecedented school year. With each passing week of remote teaching and learning, my appreciation for what everyone has accomplished only grows. I am so grateful for all the diligence, patience, and fortitude the faculty, students, and parents have afforded the administration as we continue to work through the challenges this pandemic has brought to our doorstep.
Lower School Spirit
Even in our unique circumstances, our Lower School administration found the time to thank their teachers with beautiful pinwheels that they delivered to the teacher's houses this weekend. Each pinwheel had supportive statements and messages of gratitude to each of their teachers. They will certainly brighten up everyone's garden this spring and summer. The sentiment expressed on these pinwheels extends to all the administrators and the yeoman's work all of our faculty and staff have continued since mid-March. Senior Projects
Although we could not implement the Senior Projects in May as we have in the past, our seniors are still engaging in virtual senior projects. This year the seniors could engage in community service, execute tasks virtually through a professional sponsor or DCDS faculty member, or conduct a virtual interview with an intended sponsor and attend a life skill seminar/program/class. Even with these limited choices, our seniors are tackling some experiences that will provide them impactful life skills to take with them as they embark on their college experiences. We have students who have proposed projects that include helping neighbors during the crisis, sitting in regular virtual business meetings to learn about the many considerations in running a business, working on research, and writing a novel just to name a few. To culminate this experience the students will still be engaging in a virtual fair of sorts by submitting a journal, presentation, or video of their experience at the end of this month.
Graduation and Moving-Up Ceremonies
Mr. Bearden informed seniors and their parents last week that our graduation ceremony will still take place on June 11. The plan, subject to state and local guidelines, will be to host the graduation at the Ford Drive-In Theater in Dearborn, MI. Graduates and their immediate family members only will be invited to attend. Strict social distancing guidelines will be followed. Unlike the typical 2.5 to 3 hour ceremony, this ceremony will be around 90 minutes. For those who cannot attend the graduation, the video will air simultaneously on the school's YouTube channel. The graduation will be pre-recorded should restrictions change and also allow us to provide a recording for each graduate.
Possible options for Moving-Up Ceremonies at the other campuses are still being considered. Details will be shared once final determinations have been made.
A Little Different Perspective
Finally, I would like to end this week's email with an email a parent sent to me. Imagine you were born in 1900.
On your 14th birthday, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday. 22 million people perish in that war. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.
On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy.
When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren't even over the hill yet. And don't try to catch your breath. On your 41st birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war.
Smallpox was epidemic until you were in your 40's, as it killed 300 million people during your lifetime.
At 50, the Korean War starts. 5 million perish. From your birth, until you are 55 you dealt with the fear of Polio epidemics each summer. You experience friends and family contracting polio and being paralyzed and/or die.
At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesn't end for 20 years. 4 million people perish in that conflict. During the Cold War, you lived each day with the fear of nuclear annihilation. On your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, almost ended. When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends.
Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How did they endure all of that? When you were a kid in 1985 and didn't think your 85 year old grandparent understood how hard school was. And how mean that kid in your class was. Yet they survived through everything listed above. Perspective is an amazing art. Refined and enlightening as time goes on.
Perhaps staying home doesn't sound too bad anymore. Enjoy the rest of your week. Remember to take care of yourselves and take time to recharge when you need it.
Warm regards,
Glen Shilling DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL |