Greetings Cypress Community,

As we continue this journey together, but separate, through these uncharted waters, we can very easily become overwhelmed by conflicting feelings.  Our task is great and the stakes are high.  How do we balance what is vital and essential in our lives, with what health experts recommend to slow the spread of this virus?  What sacrifices are we willing to make for one another?  How do we make decisions in an environment full of uncertainty? 

The mission of a public health officer is “to promote and protect the health, well-being, self-sufficiency and safety of all.”  In the constitution of the WHO established in 1948, health is defined as “a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”  Taking into consideration the costs and benefits of continuing to shelter and re-opening, we need to find a middle path that addresses health from this holistic view.  With that said, we need to explore all the steps needed to reduce our risks.

I was encouraged this week to see a photo of one of our students practicing wearing a mask.  We will be integrating this practice into our Zoom classes and for all parents, please consider trying different face coverings to see if there are any your child will tolerate.  Please wear your mask around your child, so they will get used to tolerating others wearing masks.  We know once we are able to return, it will be an adjustment and we need to make the transition as smooth as possible.  All of us should consider getting tested.  I was tested over the weekend (my result was negative) and while I wouldn’t call it pleasant, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected.  Continue to limit the number of close physical contacts you associate with to keep exposure to a minimum.  All of these steps are uncomfortable, but part of the process of navigating the world we currently inhabit.  We will be successful only with the support of one another, each of us doing our part, with patience, compassion and resilience.  We will relearn how to relate to one another under new conditions and provide our students the tools to socialize in an environment that has made it even more difficult to do so.

Distance ESY continues as we begin to finalize plans for Fall.  We continue to practice our Cypress strategies of being flexible, focusing on the positive and being open to what is possible.  Those plans will be shared and updated as we get closer to our start date.  Our Campus Readiness, Distance Learning, and Community-Based Instruction teams have had some very productive dialogue about what re-opening safely means for our students and staff, and are taking in the feedback we receive from families about the successes and struggles of this challenging situation.  In this election year, it seems everything is in danger of being politicized.  Please be assured that we are focused on creating the safest, healthiest environment for our students and staff, and the delicate balance of staying connected while reducing our risks.  This will continue to guide our decisions moving forward, and we will keep you updated with the latest developments.  Parents please join us here for a meeting Monday 7/13 at 2:30.

Sincerely,

Nate Yates

Director of Educational and Behavioral Services