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Vol. 14 No. 1 SUMMER 2020 Graduation goes virtual Online ceremonies Food replace large gatherings By Azell Cavaan for Coronavirus may have robbed the Springfield Public Schools Class of 2020 of the traditional Symphony Hall commencement ceremony, but seniors had still had opportunities to celebrate. “Clearly, we know that gathering thousands of people at Symphony Hall or any other venue is not a responsible thing to do with regard to public thought health and safety, so we opted to provide our seniors with the very best virtual commencement ceremony that we could create,” said Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick. “We wanted them to experience a sense of celebration, closure, achievement and be inspired to succeed in their next stage of life.” The school district paired with its long-standing partner Focus Springfield, the City’s community media center, to produce the virtual ceremonies, which all included a tribute to seniors by U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal, along with the traditional lineup of speakers. Springfield native and NFL player Christian Wilkins also provided a special message for the graduates of the Springfield Alternative schools, which includes: Springfield Public Day High School, Liberty Preparatory Academy, High School Completion Program, Gateway to College at Springfield Technical Community College, Gateway to College at Holyoke Community College, and Springfield High School. Alternative Schools Principal Rhonda Jacobs said the atypical graduation circumstances created a space for reflection and creativity. Sayeed Alexander, a first-grader at Beal Elementary School, has learned how “It forced us to think of new to grow vegetables while being at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. ways to celebrate our students and their achievements,” said Jacobs. “Here at the alternative schools, we enjoy INSIDE a smaller setting that allows our students and teachers to form strong bonds. We get to see their growth in ways that many others in their lives may not, so we embraced the challenge and we all felt very good about it in the end. I think the pride and compassion we have as a school shined through even virtually.” Springfield Renaissance graduate Brendon Holland, who is the production and technology specialist at Focus Springfield, led the technical production. “Having one of our own at the helm makes it all the more personal and special,” said Warwick. Holland, who graduated in 2013, said the situation hit home for him. Not only could he see himself in the graduates, but he understood all too well having the celebration of a major life event called off due to COVID-19. He DIGITAL LEARNING, Pages 4-5 SENIOR REFLECTION, Page 7 See GRADUATION page 6 2 - The Springfield Educator Summer 2020 A class and a crisis that won't be forgotten In my more than 40 years of annual You have your own story and that will never change. with the wind.” commencement ceremonies, the Class of COVID-19, virtual reality, social distancing – none of that Class of 2020, your school year ended in the blink of an eye. 2020 will forever stand out. It is important will ever undue what you have experienced in achieving one You went home from school on March 12 and never returned. that we acknowledge the disappoint many of if not the greatest achievement in your young life to date – You were denied the rites of passages you’d been anticipating of you may feel because your graduation earning your high school diploma. – special times like signing yearbooks, prom, senior trip, a ceremony is not what you had envisioned I know for many of you the journey has been difficult, Symphony Hall graduation. it would be. But it is also important that but you made it with the support of family, friends and your But you did not crack. You are the strongest class I have ever we honor your unique place in this time teachers, coaches, and administrators. DANIEL J. WARWICK known. I am proud of the way you have bent with the winds of world history. No one could have I would like to take this moment to personally thank the blown in by these strange, unprecedented times. predicted 12 years ago when you started kindergarten that your staff and faculty for your continued hard work and dedication. precious high school years would come to an unceremonious Springfield Public Schools has the finest teachers in the world. THAT is what defines the Class of 2020 AND that is who close in the midst of global pandemic. Yet, here we are. COVID 19 has wreaked havoc on our sense of normalcy, but you are. The joyful experiences you have shared, the hardships you I dare say it has also ushered in a valuable lesson - sometimes Congratulations on a monumental achievement. Continue have overcome, the lasting bonds of friendships you have in life, you are forced to pivot, and you must be open to your journey into adulthood with resilience, determination and forged, the late nights you have kept, the knowledge you have change. humility. I know you will make us all proud. gained, the personal growth you have achieved – none of that Bruce Lee once said: “The stiffest tree is most easily disappears because of the world events happening around you. cracked, while the bamboo or willow tree survives by bending Daniel J. Warwick is superintendent of schools. CITY OF SPRINGFIELD DOMENIC J. SARNO, MAYOR A message from the superintendent SCHOOL COMMITTEE MAYOR DOMENIC J. SARNO, CHAIR CHRISTOPHER COLLINS, VICE CHAIR I stand with peaceful protestors across the nation who raise reform. I try to walk that path and in that light. BARBARA GRESHAM their voices for racial justice. I stand with police who fulfill As a school district, we will not back away from the work on DENISE M. HURST their duty to protect and serve with good intentions and a clear diversity and inclusion that we have started. My commitment ATTY. PETER MURPHY LATONIA NAYLOR conscience. is to work harder than ever before because the need for change MARIA PEREZ I applaud Mayor Sarno, Commissioner Clapprood, faith and becomes stronger every day. religious leaders from our community and others for their prayer Our nation is in chaos right now. The Coronavirus pandemic vigils of hope and healing. has changed our way of life and now is set as a backdrop for a BENNY PABON Faith, hope, healing, and education are the way forward for crisis that has caused unrest from coast to coast. We need prayer, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE our nation as we pursue justice and reform. It is why our work healing, hope, peace, and change. in producing students who are prepared to be change-makers is For some people, creating change takes the form of peaceful PUBLISHED BY: vital. Reform is needed in systems that make up the fabric of protest and activism. For others, prayer and meditation. As SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS our nation - criminal justice, education, politics, arts, the law, leaders and educators, it takes many forms. DANIEL J. WARWICK, SUPERINTENDENT business, health care, and more. The important thing is to be a part of the solution and lead by WWW.SPRINGFIELDPUBLICSCHOOLS.COM Springfield Public Schools administrators have been example-whatever form that takes for you personally. And do engaged in some difficult work around the stinging issue of so in peace. MANAGING EDITOR: race. Personally, I have learned some hard truths about white AZELL CAVAAN privilege and what it means. I understand the importance of Daniel J. Warwick CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER using my status to help elevate the demand for justice and Superintendent SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1550 MAIN ST. SPRINGFIELD, MA 01103 TEL: 413-787-7100 EXT. 55194 [email protected] PRODUCED BY: GRANT COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING GROUP 85 EXCHANGE ST., SUITE 218 LYNN, MA 01901 781-598-8200 [email protected] WWW.GRANTGROUP.COM The Springfield Educator Summer 2020 - 3 Remote learning A parent's perspective on adds up at White Street education in a pandemic By Meaghan Casey My experience of the COVID-19 • Engaging of students to share tips with their White Street School teacher Brianna Cicero never pandemic and school closure peers on how they are able to complete their imagined her fifth year in the classroom would wrap up with has been multi-dimensional, as a assignments. her at home juggling math lessons and the care of her infant mother of eight children and five • Educators and staff creating videos and and toddler, but that’s what the year had in store for her and grandsons who is also a licensed sharing them with students that encourage many others across Springfield. clinical social worker, published engagement, laughter and lightheartedness “It’s definitely a lot, but I’m so lucky to have such a author, clinical consultant and As a parent, my initial reaction was to establish and supportive team,” she said. “We all go on Zoom together and international trainer on topics maintain a structure that included routines for both with our students, and we’ve been really connected.” ALICE FARRELL including Adverse Community middle school-aged children and my college young adult A 2010 graduate of Springfield Central High School, and Childhood experiences, The children. I created breakfast, lunch and dinner routines, Cicero earned her bachelor’s from UMass Amherst and her Intersection of Academic, Social Emotional Learning and instructional and study time routines, and division of master’s in special education and teaching from Springfield Trauma, The Intersection of the Equity, Disparities and labor house meetings. I reviewed my children’s schedules College before returning to her home district to teach. She the Multi-Dimensions of Youth, Family and Community and explored ways they felt would be helpful for them to has taught at White Street for five years.

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