Dear Scarsdale Community,

The past year has been a difficult one on many fronts. Not only did the pandemic put us all in harm's way health-wise, but it also changed K-12 education in previously unimaginable ways. In more recent days, these issues have been compounded by civil unrest, contentious elections, and a politically-divided nation, which has only elevated the level of anxiety and stress across the State and nation.

To be fair, however, we can’t claim that 2020 was all bad. It was also a year of deep introspection, priority revaluation, innovative practices, and personal and group resilience, particularly in the Scarsdale community. We all had to dig deep to manage the number and magnitude of changes affecting our lives. We also watched as our children/students managed the changes in their lives, including the transition to virtual-learning last spring, then adapting to virtual or hybrid schedule changes in the fall. In spite of many obstacles and potential pitfalls, the majority of these pivots were made with fortitude and grace. It was a sight to behold, as our children and youth met these challenges with courage, tenacity, and grit, both impressing and inspiring us as adults.

As we look for other stories of success during this pandemic, our own amazing teachers quickly come to mind. It is well-known that Scarsdale is home to some of the most dedicated and accomplished teachers in the Country. This has never been more evident than in the last year when our faculty and staff repeatedly adjusted and readjusted to accommodate changing conditions and needs. Last spring, this resulted in a massive shift from in-person to virtual-only learning as the world was trying to comprehend the scope and severity of a new, global pandemic. Without pause or hesitation, our teachers’ work continued throughout the summer and fall, ensuring that students would have successfully designed and implemented virtual- and hybrid- learning programs that would keep them engaged, connected, and actively learning throughout the 2020-21 school year.

As we reflect on where we have been and where we are headed, it is undeniable that we have overcome many challenges this year as a school and broader community. Equally clear is that there is still a long road ahead. Current health metrics continue to be alarming, in spite of a promising vaccine campaign that is on the horizon. While we must remain diligent and focused on our risk mitigation efforts, there are also signs of hope for the future. I have been, and continue to be, incredibly proud of our school community, and how we have responded to the many challenges during this difficult time. These shared experiences also give me the confidence to know that we will continue to thrive and persevere as we travel on this road back to eventual normalcy. As we embark on what we hope is the final leg of this journey, I ask for your continued patience, support, and understanding. We have been and remain committed to supporting all of our students, staff, and community during this journey. It is our hope that this redesigned website, Our Journey Forward: A Learning Plan for Scarsdale Schools, will be a useful resource that provides data/information, planning documents, and State and DOH guidance, which has and continues to guide our decision-making and planning.

With warm wishes for a brighter and healthier future,

Dr. Thomas Hagerman