Summary: <br> This week marks the end of June 2021, and just today I heard from a principal friend, Andrew O’Farrell, West Islip Unified School District in Massapequa, New York, who is enjoying his first week of summer vacation. Other schools across the U.S. have been enjoying break since the end of May. <br> <br> <br> <br> Wherever you are, I bet it is safe to say that graduation has been one of the most exciting times as you wrap up your school year. And 2021 has a special place of significance for graduating classes and the educators and communities who have served them through a year like no other.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PMP251.jpg"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> With that well-earned celebration in mind, I am really excited that Principal Samantha Bartrom from Coastal Academy High School in Oceanside, California, shared a link to her graduation ceremony with the Principal Matters Mastermind community and me. Watching her speech was a moment of poignance and sentimentality. In fact, I was so moved by listening to her words to her school community, I asked permission to re-broadcast the speech as this week’s podcast episode.<br> <br> <br> <br> As you listen, please give yourself permission to rewind the clock on this past year. Think about the lessons you and your school community learned together. Think about the resilience, hard work and dedication you saw demonstrated. And give yourself permission to congratulate yourself on being able to do hard things.<br> <br> <br> <br> Thank you, Samantha Bartrom and Coastal Academy High School for permission to share your speech with Principal Matters listeners. A copy of the speech script is printed below, or you watch the speech via Youtube at this link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVJULpj5ZL0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVJULpj5ZL0</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Good afternoon Class of 2021: <br> <br> <br> <br> “Congratulations on making it to this momentous and special day — your high school graduation! After this unforgettable and unpredictable school year, I am elated and grateful that l we are able to gather in person today to celebrate the resilient and inspiring Class of 2021. <br> <br> <br> <br> I’d like to take you back to March 2020, your Junior year. On March 4, 2020 Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency. Out of extreme precaution, on March 13th, 2020, Coastal Academy High School transitioned to home-based learning until after Spring Break. At this point, COVID-19 was still very new. Some students were disappointed and even a little worried. Others were not distraught at all. Perhaps you welcomed the break from your day to day grind and hustle. Maybe you embraced the opportunity to do school in your PJs or with your best dog or cat friend on your lap. <br> <br> <br> <br> At that point in time, I don’t think any of us expected to spend 448 days doing the distance learning shuffle, pivoting back and forth between at-home, hybrid and in-person learning. <br> <br> <br> <br> 448. <br> <br> <br> <br> There have been exactly 448 days since March 13, 2020. During those 448 days there should have been school dances, athletic events, spirit days, Food Truck Fridays and so much more. <br> <br> <br> <br> Class of 2021: I am so sorry you didn’t get to experience all of the many rights of passage that come with your Senior Year. <br> <br> <br> <br> Rather than focus on what you have missed or lost this school year, I’d like to draw your attention to just a few of the things you’ve gained. <br> <br> <br> <br> In the past 448 days, the Class of 2021 has exemplified the true meaning of a self directed learner. You set goals, created new routines & adjusted to Zoom class. I think we’d all agree the hands down quote of this school year is,
