As we prepare to begin the final six weeks of the 2020-2021 school year, we could look back and say that the school year did not go as expected. However, as in the idiom about seeing the glass as half full or half empty, why not look on the positive side and think about how we have progressed?

More students and teachers have become technologically proficient than ever before in the history of public education. More than 80 percent of our students are back at school face-to-face, and the numbers of those quarantining or contracting COVID-19 have declined. Although we still require safety protocols, such as masks, social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing, we can allow participation in activities and events, such as sports, proms and graduations.

While most of us have found that our lives are gradually returning to normal, we must all be aware that this is not the case for some of our students, staff, parents and other community members, who have had a difficult time coping with various aspects of the pandemic. Goose Creek CISD has compiled some resources, such as the We’re Here to Help Resource Card (video), NAMI and Depelchin (Spanish version of NAMIs and DepelchinS).

Ribbon cutting ceremonies recently were held for six of our 10 career academies. We’re proud that these academies provide options for our students to prepare them for high-demand careers and/or for college. The ribbon was cut in January for the Career Academy for Future Educators (CAFE), located at Ross S. Sterling High School (RSS). Creating this plan for the CAFE helped the district win a “Grow Your Own” grant from the Texas Education Agency. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath sent a video congratulating Goose Creek CISD on the new academy. The Instrumentation Lab in the STEM Academy at Robert E. Lee High School and the Manufacturing and Industrial Maintenance Academy at Stuart Career Tech High School (SCTHS) were celebrated in February.

Three ribbon cutting events were held in March. The first one was for the Agricultural Science Academy facilities at SCTHS, which include greenhouses, a floral design area and a facility for the Veterinary Assistant program. RSS showed off its newly remodeled annex, designed to accommodate the Health Science Academy, which provides the largest number of certifications available, including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Pharmacy Technician and Emergency Medical Technician, which will be added in 2021-2022 in partnership with Lamar Institute. The Advanced Automotive Academy’s Transportation Facility at SCTHS wrapped up the ceremonies with a message from special guest Roger Elswick, owner and president of Community Toyota*Honda*KIA, about the importance of the academy, considering the growing need for certified automotive technicians.

With graduation just around the corner, we especially want to congratulate the staff and students at Stuart Career Tech High School, which will hold its first graduation ceremony this year, marking four years since the inception of the school, which is in the process of completing Phases 3 and 4 of construction as a result of the voter-approved 2019 bond.

We can see light at the end of the tunnel, so we know that the end of the 2020-2021 school year is just ahead. Please remind students, whether face-to-face or virtual, that attendance is important to finishing the year strong, as is staying focused and completing all their work. It won’t be long before everyone can take a deep breath and relax a little, knowing they’ve done their best despite the obstacles they have encountered this year and seeing the glass as half full. Thank you for believing in our future one student at a time!