A Turning Point

Mr. Kalish, High School Principal
October 2020

Much has been said about the current state of affairs in both our world, and our smaller world here at Greenport High School. The global pandemic has brought on many challenges, hardships and heartbreak. Our current educational model has been created in a short time to work within safety guidelines to keep all concerned safe.

During the summer months, I worked alongside other members of our team in developing our reentry plan. We dedicated many hours determining how we would institute temperature screening, social distancing and essentially redesigning our learning environment. We communicated with other schools and researched plans from across the country. We imagined how we could open our building safely, and beyond that how we could offer students of Greenport a quality learning experience.

As a student of history and a former Social Studies teacher, it is not lost on me that we are living within what could be considered “turning point”. Turning points are historical events or critical incidents that precipitate major changes in history. Each year in your classes you study these different events, such as events in Colonial America in 1776, the advent of the Columbian Exchange, or the introduction of new technologies that sparked the industrial revolution. Arguably, the impact of each turning point varies and some are more significant than others. Nevertheless, the effect of this global pandemic on education represents a substantial shift with how teachers are creating learning environments for our students. Both students and teachers are in the midst of demonstrating resolve and resilience to continue to work towards providing and acquiring the knowledge and skills to be better prepared for our future.

I encourage each of you to take a moment and reflect on the significance of what we are experiencing. I am proud of our work as a school community. Although our normal traditions are currently on hold, the core of our school remains intact. I’m talking about the strong bond and relationships we have while working towards our goals.

I am grateful for each of your contributions during this time. When new procedures, protocols and precautions are asked of us we still get to decide how we will respond. We control our drive, our creativity and our futures. As we move forward, it is my belief that we will look back at this turning point as a moment in our lives where we all experience growth despite the challenges of the time.

Go Porters!