Rotary Log for October 22, 2020
There is something to be said about calm. In these trying times, it is not a metaphor for something better, it is simply a way forward. Today’s meeting was about a way forward.
But first, the reality. Self-proclaimed Pandemic President Flagg presided and began the meeting precisely on time.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Al Lantinen led us in God Bless America. Rice gave the invocation which included a prayer for the safe return of Chris Cassidy.
Janice Cassidy informed us the Christmas tree ornaments are ready. This year’s ornament features Gilley’s. That led to an impromptu fine--$20 for anyone whose child returned from outer space. Hmmm, I wonder who they could be?
We had one visiting guest, Billy Rothney from Bangor Savings Bank. Hello Billy from the Club.
Marie Brownell summarized the golf outing which raised $23k net. Included in this amount are donations from Rotarians who did not participate. Thank you to all the donors!
All went well despite the intermittent rain. Team Wheeler won the Cup. Team Flagg proudly finished dead last—typical of any presidential team playing by the rules.
The monies raised are being used primarily for the Basic Needs initiative. The Community Toolbox, One Sky, Seacoast Community Lunch, Seacoast Community School and the Share Fund among others will receive some the proceeds. If next year’s traditional June date holds, Flagg will be the first Portsmouth Rotary Club president to hold two golf tournaments. Who would expect less from the self-proclaimed greatest presidency in the history of our Club?
Next up, our history moment concerned a truly momentous occasion for all clubs in the Rotary International family. World Polio Day was held October 24. Rotary’s involvement began all the way back in 1979 when the first immunization project was started. Polio Plus officially began in 1985. $120 million was raised that year.
In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was instituted in 125 countries. By 1994, the Americas were certified polio-free. Remarkably, in 1995, one hundred sixty-five million children were immunized in China and India in a single week. By 2009, eight hundred million children had been immunized. India was certified polio-free in 2014.
All told, more than three billion children have been immunized under the program. The only remaining cases of polio are in Afghanistan and Pakistan. There are 85 confirmed cases left in the world. The end is in sight!
Towards that finale, Dave Underhill came up with the idea of donating our $20 lunch money to Polio Plus. Flagg wants to up the ante to $20.20, thus making something positive come out of 2020. Quite a commendable gesture as we all thought his presidency was the one positive development of 2020.
All kidding aside, if every member donates $20.20, with matching grants, etc., the total contribution will be raised to $13,500. As our illustrious President likes to say, “shoot that lock off your pocket and ante up!” Can there possibly be a better way to spend $20 and get that much benefit? Not likely. Please donate.
Moving right along to announcements, Betsy Scott reminded us about this year’s modified Thanksgiving event. Portsmouth Regional Hospital has once again generously donated all the food, including 65 Turkey breasts and pies. Eileen Duggan generously volunteered Flagg and son to make deliveries. Murphy is joining the Thanksgiving team.
Thirty volunteers are needed to package the meals and to deliver them. Please sign up.
Through Priscilla Macinnis, the First Seacoast Bank is sponsoring this year’s Thanksgiving Dinner. Thank you, Priscilla and First Seacoast Bank!
Turning to the main event, Karen Conard introduced the speaker, our own Steve Zadravec, Superintendent of Schools. Described as being perpetually calm and Zen-like, Steve has led our school system through the chaos of our COVID world.
With his calm hand on the rudder, Steve has captained over the legions of Portsmouth’s school administrators, teachers and school staff. His leadership has helped to provide the best free appropriate public education possible. From preschool through high school, Steve’s administration has developed a hybrid plan to provide both remote and in-school learning.
Remarkably, as of our meeting, not a single teacher or student has tested positive for COVID. The $100,000 spent on PPE, tents and other essential items has made this possible. The protocols put in place after much deliberation over the spring and summer have made it possible for our students to continue their learning journeys with the least amount of interruption.
Sports and after school clubs continue unabated. Through a system of prioritization, students attend in-school classes anywhere from one to four days a week. The efforts of our school district have not gone unnoticed, as the district is currently ranked second in New Hampshire. New Franklin School has received a national blue-ribbon award for outstanding academic achievement.
The Portsmouth School Department has created a set of goals to guide it through this process. Equity, Opportunity, Community and Student Wellness are the goals. These standards provide a way to measure progress, particularly with respect to the neediest and most vulnerable members of the population. Typically, children from lower socioeconomic families have a higher dropout rate and do not participate in AP-level courses. This same demographic rarely enters early college experiences and international student-exchange programs.
Regarding the Equity goal, one component is the Futures Program founded by our late club member, Joe Sawtelle. It began with a child doing yardwork for Joe. When Joe asked the child about college, the child said he was not going. Astounded, Joe inquired of the child’s parents and was told there was no money for college. Joe did something about this and the Futures Program was born. The endowment funds post-secondary education opportunities for children in financial need.
An outgrowth of this is the Opportunity Fund that provides funds for children in need while in the school system. This money is used to support participation in school-sponsored activities. An example is maple-tree tapping events coordinated between students at the Lister Academy and third-grade students.
As Steve tells it, life was moving along swimmingly and then March 13, 2020 hit—another one of those days that will live in infamy. By March 16, Governor Sununu issued his order to close all schools—wise move. Virtually overnight, the school system went completely virtual. Zoom became a colloquial term for schools in session.
Knowing certain hardships would result from this sudden shutdown, the school system prioritized and addressed certain basic needs. Even with the complete shutdown, school meals were still offered to all students all spring and summer.
A reopening task force was assembled in the spring and worked through the summer to devise a reopening plan. The plan consists of four phases ranging from complete remote to fully open and hybrid combinations in between. The plan is designed to be adaptable to the current circumstances.
Ultimately, a hybrid model was adopted that varied depending upon the grade level. Remote staff meetings, staggered arrival times, outdoor space utilization, masks and social distancing are a part of this. Also included are travel patterns within the buildings. These are just some of the measures taken to provide a safe education to each student.
As stated, in-class sessions are prioritized based upon need so each student attends anywhere from one to four days a week. Other local buildings are being used to accommodate certain situations such as students that can’t be left home alone and cannot attend in-class. The Senior Center is one such building being repurposed.
Efforts are being made to increase the number of in-class days for all students. It’s a situation that is being reassessed each term. The school system consults with the Portsmouth Health Department to adjust the plan. A return to full closure is not expected. Standardized testing continues. Assessments are being made to address any gaps in the curriculum being taught which is currently focused on the essentials. A return to full in-class sessions is the ultimate goal.
Thank you, Steve, for your stewardship and very informative presentation.
And with that, we ended our meeting with the Four-Way Test—another one for the history books. Until next time….
Respectfully submitted, Mark Lorusso
Photo Captures by Don Chick
