Despite getting another blast of winter April 21, those who are part of the Liberty-Benton family have effectively shaken off the winter blues. The excitement on our campuses is substantial as we return to at least a semi-normal spring.
Liberty-Benton is a busy place these days. From spring sports (complete with spectators - finally!), to student recognition assemblies and the annual Arts Festival, I think we’ve all learned over the last year to never take these rituals for granted. Planning is also well underway for other end of the year activities such as field day, prom and graduation.

Whether it is a track meet, spring concerts, the Arts Festival, or walking across the gym at graduation, I am beyond grateful that our students have these activities to look forward and that they get to return to experiencing these normal rites of passage. Thanks to months of isolation, it is bittersweet to see students smiling, to hear the hustle and bustle in our hallways, and to see children playing on our playground’s at recess. The missed social interactions between students and teachers was no doubt one of the biggest impacts of the pandemic. We know these social interactions lead to good mental health and a healthier overall student, which in turn leads to better academic success.

Even with our slow return to normal, we know the pandemic is not over. We are continuing to follow all safety protocols, and continue to assess the needs of students based on the impact COVID has had on their learning.  In the meantime, stay well, and as always, thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this pandemic and the rest of the 2020-2021 school year.

And as always…...GO EAGLES!
Mark Kowalski