Dodson Sup. Wietz offers words of encouragement during school closure

Thank you to all certified staff for your prompt responses to the survey questions and data that we will continue to utilize each week to see what is working well and what adjustments are needed. Two of the crucial areas seem to have gone well according to parent/family and staff feedback received this week. Communication and accessibility to your parents/family were the top priorities in the beginning. It sounds like that went great and that is attributed to every individual staff effort in this. Great job. Continue to listen to your parents and families...I believe they will have great suggestions as the closures extend.

This Friday was unlike any Friday in my career. I said three weeks ago to each of our staff; "You're going to learn a lot about yourselves and people in general in the coming weeks." I am not surprised by what I am learning about many of you. To those in the cafeteria, each morning and afternoon working tirelessly to prepare and deliver food to our children and their homes in a way that was not intended, has been beyond heroic.

You do not complain. You adjust on the fly. You're back the next day...It's noticed. This is "not your job" as "your job" is defined. This is caring professionals, stepping up, thinking outside the box, and volunteering when you do not have to and calling and asking, "How can I help?" Working together and physically doing more and more than a routine day would ask.

Like so many "essential personnel" during this time...Thank you!

Our teachers...wow!

Lets' say it like it is: This is not how education was intended to be delivered. It just isn’t. It does not replace the physical interaction in the classroom and one on one attention many students so highly need. It is not how education is intended to be delivered. Period. You will not win a debate with me on that. Each of you, however, have stepped up, faced the initial challenges of rolling out educational opportunities in a "remote, distant" format in these very difficult, concerning, and trying times, with no guaranteed end date, you have done this with little warning and time to prepare. The quality of delivery, your communication structures, your accessibility to parents, your willingness to adjust, your collaboration during an inconvenient and uncomfortable structure and format is and has been superb.

The teamwork has been outstanding.

Parents/Guardians/Students...wow! Your patience initially, your cooperation, your kind comments back... again, wow! We will need that moving forward. We are listening to your comments and suggestions on how we can continue to adjust and make this experience as effective and worthwhile during this crisis globally, nationally, locally.

I'm learning a lot about our educational family. What I see is people working together and a lot of understanding and patience with our staff as they continue to work tirelessly to serve you in times that no college course or master's degree had in their curriculum. This is not the time for the knucklehead critical social media post. If you have a suggestion and we missed something, call. Call your teacher or call the school numbers provided. Seeing what I am seeing I know whatever was missed could be done differently and you can be helped and you will be met with enthusiasm and professionalism.

This is new for everyone. We need everyone working together. All stakeholders. I like what I'm learning about our Dodson educational family in these past few weeks. Please, stay informed of the events around you. Respect the directives and guidelines to minimize risk and increase safety to others and yourself.

GO COYOTES!

GO PENGUINS!

GO MUSTANGS AND M-ETTES!

Go PANTHERS

GO PHILLIPS COUNTY!

Please call if you have any needs.

Gary Weitz, Superintendent

Dodson Public Schools

406-890-4423