Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future. — Nelson Mandela.
It is Labor Day and the summer is winding down (although it may not feel like it outside). There are just two weeks left before we embark on the adventure that is the 2020/2021 school year. At Down Home, our summer theme has been Hope. And more than anything, we genuinely hope that you have been encouraged through the thoughtful reflections of our SLOCA community. As we wrap up our Hope for the 2nd Half series, we wanted to highlight the hope! So, today’s post is chock-full of it.
First, we surveyed our SLOCA community asking about hope and the upcoming school year. Below you will find reflections from students, staff, and parents. Help us highlight the hope by sharing your own answers to the questions in the comments below!
Looking for more? We have also included an excerpt from each Hope for the 2nd Half post of this summer. If you have not had a chance to read the entire post or are need of a reread, simply click the guest blogger’s name.
What is your hope for the coming school year?
- I hope that we don’t have to do virtual school because it’s easier to learn in school. — Ensio, 2nd grade.
- I just hope to go to school! — Sibylla, 7th grade.
- I hope we get to do paintings in art class. — Kate, 3rd grade.
- That we wouldn’t have to wear masks and that we can give each other hugs again!!! Cheryl, — SLOCA parent & staff.
- I am hoping to be able to have, at least some, in person classes at school. I miss the communication. — Isobel, 10th grade.
- That our kids will see the brokenness of our days as part of their own story of hope in a Diane Stanley Book. — Jaime, SLOCA parent.
- To play sports. — Heidi, 2nd grade.
- That my dad can teach my math to me on homeschool days. — Noah, 3rd grade.
- For our children to excel in their studies amid the challenges that we are facing in our day to day lives. — Joe, SLOCA parent.
- That we find ways to get closer to the old “normal”. — Ian, 6th grade.
Why do we need hope?
- We need hope in order to exist! — Cheryl, SLOCA parent & staff.
- It is an anchor for our soul. — Deena Eschenbach, SLOCA parent & staff.
- Hope will keep us going. — Noah, 3rd grade.
- Because if we didn’t have hope we couldn’t get anything. — Ainsley, 1st grade.
- We need hope because it gives us joy and good thoughts. — Heidi, 2nd grade.
- We need hope because hope fills in the gaps between the happiness in our days. — Joe, SLOCA parent
- If we didn’t have hope, we wouldn’t care about anything. — Ian, 6th grade.
- Hope fertilizes joy and perseverance so that we might flourish through hard seasons of life. — Jaime, SLOCA parent.
Gina Planeta, SLOCA Parent:
“As hard as this time is, there is hope. Our kids are learning…They’re learning skills that they can carry with them well beyond a return to “normal” or the new normal. They may very well end up as adaptive problem solvers with a deep respect for others and a penchant for technology. At least that’s what we should choose to hope.”
Erin Hellar, SLOCA Parent:
“My hope then for today is that we can equip our children with the character, and the wisdom to make the changes that we have yet to collectively accomplish. When we see all that mankind has done over our short history here on Earth I am filled with a sense of awe at the power of the human spirit….May our children be inspired to harness that power for right, and may their education focused on history, logic, and character be the tools to guide them!”
Sharon Cumberland, SLOCA Parent:
“My hope is that the lessons learned, the character developed, and the connections made will remain beyond these fatiguing days and that when my kids reminisce about this time of their lives they will have more positive memories than negative.”
Jaime Hendrickson, SLOCA Parent:
“My hope is that as my children step into their own viewsheds, they see the horizon stretched beyond what was once familiar as landmarks of citizenship, courage, integrity, and kindness rise up.”
Ariana Spaulding, SLOCA Parent:
“I spent some time reflecting on what feels lost when I sense myself running on hope fumes. Is it something I have control over or have the power to get back? It came down to one word: PLAY.”
Sarah McCurdy Weinschenk, SLOCA UMS Latin Teacher:
“…I believe the first key to sustaining our hope for the next school year lies in turning to the examples of our elders, whether family members or historical figures; the second lies in remembering that all of our efforts are for our students and that we are not doing it alone but as part of a supportive community. The third lies in giving ourselves over to nature to recharge our souls and maintain perspective.”
Paul McCullough, SLOCA High School Literature Teacher:
“Hope is not just a noun but an active verb, often with a direct object. We don’t just hope, we hope in and we hope for. We hope for the best. We hope to be worthy of it. Surely no one can be said to hope who hopes only for themselves.”
Sande Beckers, SLOCA Grandparent:
“…there IS a silver lining to this cloud hanging over our country. Many will learn of this classical education model online, and more children will become creative and curious learners as SLOCA kids have done.”
A HUGE thank you to all the SLOCA parents, staff, and students that contributed this summer to Hope for the 2nd Half!
