Dear American Prep Staff Members!
Wow!! What a journey we are on! I am amazed at the changes we have all been through in past months. Perhaps I am even more amazed at the way in which our American Prep family of “Builders” has risen to these changes and challenges and obstacles with an absolutely incredible level of energy, focus, and positivity!!! It has been nothing short of breathtaking to watch you and see what you have created - what you have “built” over these past several weeks. I feel immense gratitude for all you have done, and I feel particular gratitude for the great privilege it is to have such a wonderful team of professionals to work with in serving our students and families. Thank you. You truly are the “best of the best.”
Next, I hope you are all staying well and physically and mentally and spiritually nourished and healthy. The virus itself has been very limited with regard to deaths in Utah, and for that I feel we are blessed. However, we are experiencing many other impacts that are significant. I am grateful we have been able to keep our employees employed during this time. We are doing all we can to navigate the current situation from a financial perspective, and we are also considering the potential future financial impacts. As the state income tax is our primary source of education funding in Utah, and as many residents are now unemployed, there will certainly be a downward impact on our education funding at some point. But we are very grateful to be in a state where we have wise leaders who have set up a “rainy day fund,” which will help weather this storm. We will be hearing more in the coming weeks about next year’s funding as the legislature holds two special sessions. At this point, we are not intensely concerned about funding - although we know we will need to make adjustments - we don’t anticipate a catastrophic change in funding for schools in Utah. And that is a huge blessing!
On a more personal note, I hope you have each had time over our “spring break” to take a breath, pursue other activities (other than work) and connect with your families and friends in ways that have nourished you in spite of the limitations we are under. What an amazing time to live! To have this unprecedented and likely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a “re-set” - to slow down, to look at our lives differently, to adopt a new paradigm! I am actually very encouraged by the potential positive outcomes of living through this time, and I am working to open my mind daily to new thoughts, new “ways of thinking,” new approaches to life. I’m sure you are experiencing similar things in your own lives. It seems to me that “balance” is an important word that I need to personally try to pay more attention to, and perhaps some of you find yourselves in a similar situation.
Of particular concern to me are our staff members who find themselves suddenly home-school parents, perhaps single home-school parents, as well as trying to fulfill their full-time + teaching job and all while being isolated from their support systems of family and community. I pray for you and think of you often. For all of us, but particularly for those highly impacted, time for personal care “balance” may seem (and perhaps may be, in reality) quite impossible. Some of you have been stretched beyond measure. You are in our hearts as administrators! We are so grateful for all the efforts you are putting forth! We care about you and honor the struggle you are experiencing.
Some of the positive things I see happening are that we are, of necessity, learning new ways of doing things, more efficient ways of managing things, and learning to rely on others in new ways. We are also adjusting to a new rhythm of life. For some of us, this can be largely a positive experience. For those with intense pressures, it can be very, very difficult. I do not have children to homeschool, and so I do not claim to have the stresses that many of you are facing. So, my advice is probably worth less than even 2 cents! But for what it is worth, I encourage each of you to make a list of the 5 essential things you need to do for YOU each day. Share it with your family members (including your children) and carve out time to ensure they happen. Encourage each of your family members to do the same. My essential 5: Take my vitamins, eat properly, 7-8 hours of sleep nightly, Meditation/Prayer/Spiritual Study, and Physical exertion of some kind. For some of you, getting in a daily shower may be the only “alone” time you have, and so it becomes one of your “essential 5”! I encourage you to work together with those in your home and create a structure that ensures everyone gets their “essential 5” in daily.
As we look forward to the coming weeks, I am often asked: “do you think we will be returning to school this year”? My answer is, “I don’t know," of course, but I would say the odds are against it. We will keep you informed of any developments as they occur.
Thank you again for all you are doing. I am so grateful to be associated with each of you. Thank you for the service you expertly and lovingly provide to our students and families. What an amazing team we have, and what a blessing to have each other!
Carolyn Sharette
April 11th, 2020