This morning, the Day School team met for an all-staff meeting, and then we had the opportunity to break out into team meetings. This is precious time for us to receive important information together, ask questions, collaborate, support one another, share our joys and concerns... CONNECT.
I was recently asked why we have delayed openings spread throughout the year in addition to our all day closures for in-service training. Why don't we just combine each of these morning sessions into one more inservice day? I realized that we have been calling both in-service, when actually these shorter morning sessions are staff meetings. Our in-service days are packed with training that meets the annual required hours of ongoing professional development. Our staff meetings are packed with organizational information.
Much of our work is conducted in silos... individual classrooms, age level groupings, Half Day and All Day programs, front office and the "front lines", Day School and other areas of HPUMC ministry. Day School teachers do not have the ability to attend church staff meetings, so this is also a time for us to hear from church leadership.
We know that this is inconvenient to parents, and we want you to know that we appreciate your flexibility and support so very much. Having a delayed opening is the only way that we are able to ensure that no children are present and we can all come together. Meeting during our work day ensures that we do not take time away from our teachers' families. Without you, we would not be here. Without your support, we would not be able to excel. You are an essential piece of our success.
We thank you!! ♥