Our first week of school is in the books, and we are settling into our routine. We’ve experienced lots of newness this week. At the end of last year, we said goodbye to five seniors who graduated and two students who chose to pursue other educational horizons. This year, we have welcomed seven new students. As well, three of our faculty members closed career chapters with us and began new ones in various places, and five new faculty members have joined us.

With the new school year, we also have a new schedule. Last year, while we were able to remain in-person, COVID restrictions required us to be masked, and to operate in strict cohorts throughout most of the day. We had policies about how far apart the desks would be, hand washing protocols (when and how), and the socially distanced activities available during breaks. This year, we have returned to switching classrooms, playing board games at lunch, and using microwaves to heat up lunches…as long as students wear masks indoors.

With all of these shifts, we have had to engage our core values of Adaptability and Community. We have had to shift expectations about who is here, how we interact with each other, and how we learn. We miss our former classmates and teachers, but we’re discovering new faces that are becoming new friends. This is how Temple Grandin School rolls. Every year is different and new, providing us with bountiful learning opportunities academically and socially. We’ve had a great beginning, and we anticipate a great year ahead!