A Word from Wayne

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It is a great day to be a Dillo! Our office was closed last week for summer cleaning, but there was a lot going on regarding education.

We are about a month away from school starting. The guidelines we receive from the state for reopening school changed twice last week, and I anticipate more changes this week. Here is what I am confident about school starting for San Saba ISD.

Opinions will be divided and vocal. According to our President and our Governor, we will start school on time and face to face. Teachers and students will have to wear masks or face shields, and virtual on-line learning will still be a part of the teacher’s repertoire.

If the spike in COVID cases and deaths increase, we could possibly be no better off than when we finished last year. My opinions do not really matter, and I do not like being held accountable for decisions I am not allowed to make. My opinion is that the best form of instruction is face to face with a teacher. School is not just about education for children, but it is place of emotional stability, safety and caring. If we talk about odds and risks, someone will say we do not care. We look at the risks to teachers and students, and we want everyone to be safe.

Risks are a part of life. My marriage vows said I would love my wife in sickness and health. It is a given that marriages would be tested by circumstances beyond our control. The growth process of learning to walk or ride a bike without training wheels are froth with danger. We could choose to crawl so we won’t fall, or we could take some unsteady steps forward.

Another thing that I am confident of is that last year when we were thrust into the COVID shutdown, we were given a lot of grace regarding grades and student participation. That grace is gone, and expectations from the state for funding and grades will be high no matter if students are in school or home.

When we start back, there will be those parents who are excited because they can go back to work and provide for their family. Others will call us irresponsible and uncaring. People want us to educate their children, but please know the flexibility we had from March to May last year will be less this year. That is what the state has informed us. Education is currently in a tug-of-war, and our school districts are in the middle between parents and politicians.

I would like to thank the people who put themselves at risk for our community. The waitstaff at our restaurants, the workers at the grocery stores, the salon workers that make us look good, police, fire fighters, medical workers, teachers, and countless others who do their jobs to make our lives more convenient. They serve a multitude of people even though they do not know where those people have been. They serve us anyway. They may serve out joy for what they love to do or fear of loss of their livelihoods, but they show up to work every day. And I say, thank you.

This time can be scary and uncertain. You may feel insecure. Helen Keller who was born blind and deaf said this, “Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” I will go for a daring adventure, and I hope I see your kids in school in August. Go Dillos!