Well, it looks like we’re doing this – and so far, we’re doing it successfully! We began the school year online on August 19th, and we welcomed the children to campus on September 9th. They are happy to be back in their classrooms, safely working and playing with their classmates, and the teachers are able to safely attend to them in every way. We are reminded, once again, that it is often the adults who “get in the way” of the children, and if we allow them to be, and follow their lead, anything is possible. The children are indeed our greatest teachers, and we’re seeing that hold true every day here on campus.
We are still adjusting to life during a global pandemic, and as happened in the spring, we are having to shift the way we do most everything. But by mustering our best Parkside spirit, we have been able to safely hold Simple Gifts with the children, and we are working to offer some version of other favorite events like Fall Fest and Ghosts of the Past. We look forward to sharing photos of those efforts soon.
As we tend to the children, we must also tend to the school, and fundraising is always a necessary reality. Plans for a big 30th Anniversary event have to shift as well, but we will certainly mark the occasion in true Parkside fashion at some point in 2021. Fortunately, our primary annual fundraiser, Amplify Austin, is already an online event, so we’ll be asking for your support of our Temporary Tuition Assistance Fund on Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020, and for your help to Take Sweet Care of Parkside on March 4-5, 2021. As always, any size gift is very much appreciated and gratefully received.
In October, we celebrate two very special birthdays – Claire on the 3rd and Joe on the 29th. And the two of them received an extra special early birthday present with the birth of their granddaughter, Pauline Claire, on September 17th. Grace gave birth to Miss Polly at home, and Dad Ed, big brother Bruno, Jam-pa, Nani, and Aunt Keldie were all there to greet her. We wish the whole family much love during this sweet time, and we can’t wait to meet Polly! Happiest Birthdays to Clarita and Jam-pa Joe!
With so much beauty in the midst of chaos, more than anything today, four weeks since returning to campus, I want to tell you how good it feels to be here, to be home. We are inspired by the children all over again and honored to guide their growth in and out of the classroom. We are privileged to do this work with you, and we thank you for being part of the Parkside family. We hope you continue to stay safe and keep in touch.
With gratitude,
Courtney
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