Dear Friend,
Last week I called my sister to find out how the new school year was going for my nephew who just started 2nd grade. Since their school district in Virginia is offering only distance learning, he spends most of the day videoconferencing with his teacher. “It’s only been four days but it feels like four months,” was her response. Even though my children are currently attending school in person, I can empathize with the strain my sister is experiencing. Between the daily health checks, staggered start times and a couple of students testing positive for COVID, the new school year has been a big adjustment.
What’s really impressed me during this crisis is how kids have adapted. For example, while every grownup I know – myself included – has groused at some point about wearing a facemask, kids seem to take it in stride. For my boys, wearing a mask is like wearing socks. They even enjoy selecting which one to wear each day. Unlike grownups and even older kids, my sons – who are 4 and 6 years old – have far fewer expectations about what the world should be like. My 4-year-old has never attended school without wearing a mask or having his temperature taken. So, the new protocols feel very ordinary to him.
The CMEE staff is trying to be similarly adaptable. We’ve made a tremendous number of adjustments to our exhibits and programming so families can attend the Museum safely. One of the biggest challenges for a “hands-on” museum was how to make sure kids weren’t touching the same exhibit components. McKenna Pierson, our Visitor Services Coordinator came up with the brilliant idea of giving each family their own dedicated set of toys, props, books and other exhibit items that they can transport in a bright red wagon.
We’ve also had to make big changes to our programming. This time of year, we are normally hosting an array of community events such as our annual Halloween Bash, which are attended by over 300 people. Since we can no longer safely welcome that many people at the same time, Liz Bard, CMEE Director of Education has devised a series of more intimate events. Instead of one big Halloween Bash, we’re offering a series of Teeny Weeny Halloweenies throughout the month. To meet the demand, we’ve already added two new dates.
As CMEE tries to adapt to the new normal, we are always eager for your feedback. If you have advice or suggestions for how CMEE can better serve children and families in our community, please don’t hesitate to email me.
Sincerely,
Steve