Calm Before Me

Fighting for Safe Schools: A Parent's Journey Through the Pandemic It's been a whirlwind, but I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made. As a parent, I felt an urgent need for my voice to be heard concerning COVID safety in Boston Public Schools (BPS) . That led me to join an amazing group called FamCosa , and I wouldn't have it any other way. I got involved due to the constant changes and the alarming rise in COVID cases in BPS, especially after the Christmas break. The surge was devastating. My son, in 3rd grade, looked at me and asked, "Mama, when will this virus leave us kids alone?" I stumbled for an answer, hoping "soon" would be enough. But what truly propelled me to action was my son's personal experience. He was out for 10 days in early September 2021 due to being a close contact, then developed symptoms himself. He later told me he sometimes didn't eat lunch at school because he didn't feel safe. As a child with physic...

The Perfect Storm: Navigating the COVID Surge in Boston Public Schools As children, teachers, and staff returned from the long winter break, it felt like the perfect storm was brewing. I'm a mom to a 3rd-grade boy who attends Boston Public Schools five days a week, and he, like many others, lives with a number of health impairments. We've all been in this COVID-19 pandemic for two years now, desperately hoping for that rainbow at the end of the tunnel. Honestly, as a parent, I believe extensive planning should have happened before the break to get a handle on the inevitable surge. Instead, the ball was dropped, leaving parents, students, and teachers scrambling. There was no clear guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or even our Governor. A System Under Strain: The Omicron Wave Last week alone, we saw over 1,000 BPS students and more than 300 staff newly diagnosed with COVID . In my opinion, that's one child, one teacher, and one staffe...

Life’s Storm This virus painted with many colors Beautiful in a fascinated shape Has became something so insidious Hurting those around us It has infected me, to nearing my time Changed my mind in many ways Morphed my way of thinking Changed my feelings It may have knocked me down Believing me to surrender I fought the dangerous battle and won When most have lost We’ve fallen hopeless to this Yet we must conquer with happiness Drown out the fear Wave after wave We all yearn for hope Is it too late to be this optimistic? I tell you i’ve faced many tragic downfalls Yesterday, today, and tomorrow Moments of hope fade by darkness This storm we face is only temporary It will fade away like a memory Must unite to keep our love and faith strong We must call on the lord above To protect and guide us during our darkest As one we can defeat this Paint the sky with colors of hope Breakaway this evil darkness Live each day beautifully Unknown Wor...