I want to let all members know how much I admire your resilience, patience, and flexibility as you have made it through the first four months of this school year. It has been another difficult year for those of us in public education, and I know that many of you have struggled with maintaining your work-life balance. I know this feeling all too well.

My holiday message to all members is simple: pack up at the end of the day today, and don’t think about work until Thursday, January 6, 2022. I know this is much easier to say than to put into practice, but this is my most honest and heartfelt message for each of you. I will be trying to follow my own advice as well. If I get a call/email from a member who finds themselves in an emergent crisis over the next two weeks, I will be there to support them, but otherwise, I’ll be doing my best to reconnect with my family, friends and sleep. Work will be there for us when we return on January 6th. 

So please, take some time to recharge, do what makes you happy. Kirsten and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.  

Be well and take care of yourselves.

Chris