About to jump into conversation with @thoughtxchng & @TahiraDChase exploring how to relaunch schools and what we've learned so far #bringpeopletgoether #backtoschool #newnormal #innovation 
Launching into the drill-down session from @thoughtxchng superintendent round table: learning, reflection and crowdsourcing to move us into the new normal
Communicating & planning with the community for school relaunch: @TahiraDChase shares her takeaways from opening Greenburgh Central School. #collaboration is key
The single most important decision: how to make this reopening as safe as possible? For this everyone needed a seat at the table. #Studentfocused
@TahiraDChase discovered some issues in the district (i.e. ventilation) and lead with transparency to prepare for what COVID necessitates from a school
Moving forward collectively lead to the decision to moving forward with a delayed opening (Oct 5th) and a virtual start to school
@TahiraDChase puts her students first, acknowledges parents concerns, leverages community partnerships and keeps the focus on keeping everyone safe
Support for the remote model was essential
Meals provided #freeandreducedlunch, child care prioritized for essential service workers, equity of access to technology by providing laptops, district provide district logo backgrounds for class (mascots and logos!)
Communicating the plan is key: face to face (when possible), virtual platforms, social media, videos, @thoughtxchng
"It is invaluable to communicate with various modalities and communicate over and over and over. Reach those people who might not be as connected as you think" #Nooneleftbehind
The practice of listening, holding space and taking criticism is crucial to validating the community as a leader during this time #covideducation #keeppeopleconnected #community
"We didn't want to talk at our community, we wanted to listen to them" @TahiraDChase
Weekly #virtualmeetings with a focus on #listening and affirming a commitment to involving parents in the planning.
The 6 virtual meetings brought parents into the fold of #inclusive #decisionmaking. A safe space lead to candid and real feedback to support realistic planning
Each virtual meetings followed up with @thoughtxchng, this #feedback informed the planning, videos sent to update where the district is at, October 5 virtual townhall is schedules
"I will continue to exchange and gather thoughts from parents because that it what works for us" @TahiraDChase
Before we can reimagine a new normal we need to build deep trust with our community by sharing honest feedback, giving grace and admitting our mistakes
"No one ever taught us how to lead through a pandemic...we are in this together and we own this together" #whatispossible #creative #trust @thoughtxchng
The power of thought is incredible...If we believe we can give our very best that is what will become possible #stellar #opening #studentsuccess #remotelearning
"We can amaze ourselves if we just give it a chance...as positive as we can be is as positive as our results"
Powerful call to action @TahiraDChase "As a #leader, my job is to inspire hope. We are not in a warehouse, these are our children's lives. We can inspire them to turn these obstacles into #opportunities"
COVID has shone a new light on equity and access. This pandemic has exposed the divides present in this country (technology, food security, parental income, etc.) #equity
We need to look at what is being exposed, acknowledge and prioritize those needs (i.e. supporting IEPs in the #virtualclassroom)
#SEL is key right now. Many students were not in homes that exposed them to things no child should ever have to endure. @TahiraDChase is taking a trauma-informed approach
We need to be aware of the trauma caused by COVID but the trauma they witness of TV and the internet, kids are scared to death, they are seeing representations on themselves killed in the streets #antiracism #equity #traumainformed
Focus on meeting the #socialemotionalneeds of children first and foremost. No child should be unable to learn because of their trauma
Bringing leader across North America into conversation using @thoughtxchng
The group's top priority: Giving everyone a seat at the table.
@TahiraDChase Doesn't take community trust for granted, she gives everyone a seat at the table to be heard and treated like family. For inclusive decision making leaders need to be able to take the positive and the negative
"Trust is not given, it's earned. You look folks in the eye and tell them the truth. That is not an easy thing to do"
Investing in trust is crucial. You need to be willing to give some of yourself, spend time on this. Be #honest, be #courageous, be #human @TahiraDChase
Courageous conversation to express care and trust for staff @thoughtxchng used to understand needs and meet concerns. "Teachers are miracle workers"
@TahiraDChase job as a superintendent is to take all obstacles out of teachers' way #opportunity to #reimagine #education
"#Educators are the real #heroes in this pandemic and we should not take this for granted" @TahiraDChase
No matter how much you #communicate, it is never enough. We need to reach people where they are. #exchangetochange #inclusion
This might be labour intensive but it's the job you are called to do. This is heavy work but the most important work.
Take stock in your own Social-Emotional Health. Model this as leaders. "Fresh thoughts only come with a clear mind" #creatvityiskey
Thank you @TahiraDChase for your honesty, authenticity and dedication to all children
Connect with @thoughtxchng for more information and support with your important work
Children are resilient. Their stories and hard work will lead to a future of bold and tenacious leaders like we've never seen before #betterfuture #hope #possibility @thoughtxchng @TahiraDChase
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