Parent Newsletter by Franny Shuker-Haines

Dear Buxton Families,

Good morning! Welcome to Week Three of what I have taken to calling “Brave New Buxton.”

Activities got off to a great start last week. Walking club, knitting club, film club, photo-blogging, video-journaling, cooking club and more are off and running. Derek started a blog where kids can share pictures of themselves doing activities, exploring the outdoors, baking, etc., and John is hosting a Buxton Minecraft. So: lots for kids to do!

Classes are also going well:  All classes are up and running as of this week—hooray! We have seen very few absences and lots of work is coming in. The faculty is meeting frequently to compare notes, share tips, and make adjustments as we hear back from students about what is working and what is not. Advisor/advisee meetings are happening regularly and we’re actively reaching out to kids who are being a little shyer than usual in these unusual circumstances. As always, Katelin is available to all students 24/7, so families should remember that resource is also in your back pocket if you feel like you need it.

We are still unsure about the rest of the term. The state of Massachusetts has not changed its reopening date for schools yet, and we are waiting to see what decisions get made on the state level before making any final decisions about the rest of our school year. There is so much uncertainty. I wish testing were becoming more widely available, because that plays a big role in our best-case scenarios. So, I beg your indulgence in staying patient with us while we wait and see how things play out.

I will not be hosting my parent gathering this week, but will be back the following Wednesday, April 29! I will re-send the Zoom link next Monday and again on Wednesday. I look forward to seeing people again at that time!

Meanwhile, I hope you are all staying healthy and able to enjoy the increasingly warm weather, the daffodils in bloom, and the promise of spring … in between bouts of crushing anxiety, that is! But seriously, the energy of the students, the love I felt during last night’s senior service, the dedication of the faculty, all inspire and warm me during this difficult moment. I hope they can do the same for you.

All the best,

Franny