From the Head: An Update from Kevin

April 1, 2020

Dear Aidan Community, 

As we enter our third week of social distancing, it feels as though months have passed since we last saw each other. Personally, I miss the sounds of children in the hallway outside my office and glimpses of the children as they work on math bead chains and pass by on the way to recess and dismissal. The most mundane things are of great value to me now and I hope that I may more consciously value them when they become everyday again.

The not-so-mundane – our new shared reality – has also presented opportunities to be appreciative. The strength of our community has been amazing. I have so very much valued the influx of postings on the (unofficial) Aidan Parents’ Facebook page. From baking to typing, from tincture-making to 3D animal interactions, from poetry to dumplings, and toys up-cycled from the 90s, it has been inspiring not only to see these things, but to know that many of them have been posted by people who, despite their own stresses, wanted to alleviate that of others. These posts have featured inquiries and helpful suggestions, and demonstrated flexibility and understanding from our community. May the mundane and the above-and-beyond both be by-products of these times that stay with us when it’s all over. Let these things become our next “new normal.”

As you are likely aware, the School was notified of one positive COVID-19 diagnosis in our student population. In fact, the student’s family all tested positive. Given the rate at which testing was available and results were processed, it was really on the tail-end of that family’s odyssey that the results were confirmed. The mother has reported that while there were some harrowing moments, the worst of it is over and they are all on the road to recovery. Many, many offers of support and statements of empathy were immediately offered… another sign of how wonderful our community is.

Given recent predictions, the number of infections and, unfortunately, deaths in the USA is likely to seriously rise over the next couple weeks. The odds are that the Aidan Community is unlikely to be only peripherally affected. As we brace for the worst and work toward the best, please do let me know should your family be affected. Many community members stand ready and willing to help and be supportive. In turn, the School will continue to report any information in this regard, while protecting confidentiality.

The launch of our Distance Learning Program has received positive feedback. Your thoughts are important to us,  so keep an eye out for the survey on Friday. That survey will solicit your feedback so that we may continue to improve this program. I am reminded of the adage of building a plane while flying it, and I’d like to think of all of you as our engineers and builders.

As previously reported out, the School is committed to keeping paychecks going to our teachers and staff. The majority of Aidan’s workforce is working harder now than under normal circumstances. Because of our commitment to both our community of learners and to our employees, tuition will continue to be collected. We recognize, however, that families’ financial situations may have changed, and I encourage any family that may be challenged as a result of COVID-19 to contact our CFO Blake Brophy to discuss how payments may be differently structured.  

As a school, we differentiate between the obligations we can meet by distance and those we cannot. To that end, all families who signed up for Discovery programming will be refunded. Also, all families who enrolled in an ASP contract or who arranged drop-in dates will be refunded for all school dates between March 16 and April 24.

Picture, if you will, your child as an 18 year-old reflecting back on these times and saying, “I remember all of us playing games together and putting together puzzles. I remember we all ate dinner and spent time together. I remember having all day, all week, all month to be a family, doing things together and being completely unhurried.” 

I know it does not feel this way to us, the parents, right now. But, in the future, we will be a different society in unpredictable ways. For now, we have the opportunity to build memories, support each other, enjoy experiencing time differently and practicing patience.

Best wishes of health and humanity to everyone, 

Kevin