Dear East Families,

I read an interesting joke this morning about an individual in 2015 who is applying for a job.  The interviewer asked the prospective employee, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” and I had to laugh.  I am sure no one could have foreseen what 2020 would be like and how this year would change all of our lives. The challenges we faced this year were unlike any I experienced in my lifetime and I think it provided some insights into what is really valuable at East Elementary.  We realized that a school can never be the same without the students in the building.  Connecting with your children online was a new experience and all of the staff missed the kids, their stories and their hugs. During the time away from the students, I believe all of the staff reflected on how lucky we are to work with your children each day and how important being together in a classroom is for their education.  I realize that for many families, remote learning was a challenge, and I would like to thank you for your perseverance and the support you provided to your children so they could continue to be successful.  I would also like to recognize and thank our staff who made an amazing transition from in-class teaching to remote learning in the span of a week.  You are all superstars!  Looking towards next year, I am hopeful that we will all return to school and resume regular classes for everyone.  There will be new safety measures and some changes of how we operate, however, the most important thing will remain the same; the staff will be here each day to teach, learn, and grow with your children.  I wish you all health and happiness during our summer break and I am looking forward to seeing each of you again in the fall.
Sincerely,Mr. Chomlak