On this sunny Thursday, I found time to sit and reflect on this week’s events, especially Sunday night’s tornado and its impact on our community. For so many of us, Sunday afternoon was like any other; a time to spend with family and perhaps plan for the busy week ahead. In a few short moments, we all were reminded of the power of nature. Many of us were also reminded of what really matters -- family, friends, and a safe home.
Throughout the week, I have remained thankful that -- while many of us suffered property damage and dislocation -- we remained healthy and whole. Not one of us was unaffected by Sunday’s storm, directly and indirectly. I have heard of countless stories of members of the JRDS community helping others in the immediate aftermath and continuing today. While many of us return to a sense of normalcy, others in our school -- including faculty, students, and parents -- are still working to put things right in their homes and neighborhoods. Keep doing the small and large things to help out our community, and pause to appreciate all that we have and can do to help others.
Please know that our faculty remain attentive to the students and their experiences with the storm. While we believe the school provides needed structure and routine, we also know that children -- from our youngest to our oldest -- need time to process, adjust, and reconnect with feeling secure. Know that we are here and eager to support the students in every way.
Ironically, James River was scheduled to run a tornado drill in the coming days, which is an annual spring safety exercise. We reviewed our protocols at yesterday’s faculty meeting, but we have postponed our drill. Over the next two weeks, teachers will review our protocols with students and help each child understand its purpose. Unlike fire drills, our tornado drill will be announced, so students aren’t surprised. Our aim is to balance safety with caring for students whose nerves remain high.
Please let me know if you have any questions. In the meantime, I am thankful for our nurturing, caring community and how we have taken care of each other during this time.
Warmest regards,
Peter