There May be More Answers Than Schools Can Handle.

It’s not a new question, by any measure, but the pandemic has certainly raised the attention that people are giving to one of the most important socio-political questions of our time. Why do our schools exist?

Is it to provide teaching and learning so that young people can grow up more enlightened and ready to contribute to society? (YES.) Is it to provide structured time away from home so that parents can work? (YES.) Is it to provide social welfare services, such as free and reduced breakfast and lunch? (YES.) Or, maybe it’s to provide a local exercise of democracy with school board officials governing a vastly wide range of policies and management decisions? (YES.)

YES. But maybe that’s a problem. We keep answering YES without also asking whether our schools are equipped to handle the workload. (And by the way, we haven’t even asked if schools should serve as health centers and epidemiologists? But, that’s exactly what we’ve expected.)

I’m very impressed by the way in which Stephen Sawchuk from Ed Source writes about this question. If you’re leading from the inside, you’ll appreciate the framing…especially for all those times when you’ve asked yourself, “Did I sign up for THIS TOO?” If you’re leading from the outside, the questions posed here help us realize how much a) we need our schools and b) how much they need us.

TRiGroup’s Advice: First read the article. It only takes 10 minutes, and you’ll come away with a much deeper understanding of what our teachers, administrators, and board members are facing. Then, be sure to align yourself with at least one if not more of the reasons why your local schools exist and lend them a hand.