Rutherford Weekly

Page 14 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, August 20-August 26, 2020 828-248-9100 828-248-9100 Accepting New Patients Accepting New Patients Most Insurances Accepted Most Insurances Accepted 621 S. Broadway Street 621 S. Broadway Street Forest City, NC 28043 Forest City, NC 28043 Hours: 8:30-5:00 Hours: 8:30-5:00 ©Community First Media Community First Media Jeffrey D. Hall, D.M.D., P.A. ROSS ROSS WINDOWS WINDOWS THE BEST FOR LESS! CALL FOR ESTIMATE 828-437-4848 • DOUBLE PANE • FULLY WELDED • FREE LOW E GLASS ARGON GAS LIFETIME WARRANTY ©Community First Media Community First Media "up to 101 u.i." ANY SIZE WHITE DOUBLE HUNG $ 189. 00 Installed The hospice you choose makes a difference. Choose the one with • local staff • hospice and palliative care trained staff • admissions 24 hours a day every day • same day admissions • hospice inpatient unit • palliative care in all settings • grief counseling for any adult in three locations • Kids Path™ • Kids Path™ Day Camp GIVE US A CALL TODAY! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID! (828) 245-0095 NC (800) 218-CARE (2273) A long time ago now it seems, I was a school student. You probably were, too. In fact it's been 50 years since I graduated from high school at East Rutherford and like most everything else our 50th reunion had to be postponed until next year. I remember my fi rst grade class at Shiloh Elementary and how I walked down a long oil- stained wooden hallway to my room where Mrs. Mary Hutchins taught us fi rst graders how to read about Dick and Jane, Sally, Dick, Puff and Spot. Lunch desserts included squeeze cups (ice cream). We learned to read, write and behave. Those were the simplest of school days. All students in Rutherford County have begun the 2020-21 "monumental challenging school year" either in- person or are participating in remote learning. No one living today has experienced what our teachers, administrators, staff, bus drivers, students, their parents and guardians are going through today as all work toward a common goal — educating students and keeping them safe and healthy. It is way beyond complicated. Monica Lee, executive director of the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation, posted on Facebook last week the "enormity of the task being asked of our teachers." She said she listened to the conversations of teachers who were trying to fi gure out how to offer lessons for in- person instruction, virtual instruction and remote paper based instruction all at the same time for each class or subject they teach. Some teachers are preparing nine lessons per day. She has seen teachers near tears. Some teachers responded to Lee's post admitting they had gone into the bathroom just to cry, overwhelmed. Teachers are concerned their students might not be able to learn all they need to learn. Parents, like teachers, want the best for the students and it is heartbreaking for them when they feel they might not be able to meet every need. When one teacher, also a parent of middle schoolers, left her classroom March 13 to teach remotely for the remainder of the 2019- 20 year because of COVID-19, she arrived at home in tears. In her heart of hearts she knew there would be a few of her students that she wouldn't hear from again that school year. She wouldn't be able to reach out to them. Would they be all right? She cried. Some students have no access to internet and remote learning is diffi cult although the technology department of the Rutherford County Schools is doing everything humanly possible to make remote learning accessible to everyone. Monica said to parents that teachers are facing this extremely overwhelming tasks and are committed to do what's best. She asked that parents, guardians and others to offer grace when needed. Monica put it this way, "Our teachers and schools need our support, patience and understanding now more than ever." A former school superintendent said there is no "sweet" fi x for every student at every school and there will be many trials and tribulations trying to fi gure it all out. Another staff member said teachers will do everything in their power to meet the needs of students while facing seemingly impossible tasks. Grace is an action we can all offer. Encouragement and positivity rather than harsh words and impatience will mean a lot to these educators, administrators and staff. Maybe there are things we can do. We might cook dinner for a teacher in our lives and drop it off at home when they return from school. We can open our extra room in our house and provide a place of study for a child. We might offer tutoring services for those who need them the most. We can run errands. And yes, everyone involved in the 2020-21 school year can use our prayers. I will pray a lot. Godspeed. Contact Jean Gordon: gordonjean211@gmail.com HOW CAN WE HELP IN THIS CHALLENGING 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR? By: Jean Gordon Pat Nanny recently took these pictures of deer at the trail near the Rutherford County Senior Center and Cooperative Extension Offi ce. Pat says the photo of the small deer was just luck, but we think some excellent photography skills were also involved. Oh deer, what a great walk Article Provided By: Pat Nanney

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