Administrators miss daily 'noise' of school

NORWALK — The only sound outside Norwalk High School on a recent morning came from a halyard rope rattling against the flag pole out front. It's the kind of background noise no one really notices most of the time. But these days, it can seem invasively loud amid the widespread silence. "It's a very eerie feeling to walk the silent halls of our school buildings," said George Fisk, the superintendent of Norwalk City Schools. From March 3 to 8, NHS was never busier. There was daily classes and practices for the spring musical production and sports. In the evenings, the building hosted tournament basketball and wrestling for five consecutive nights, drawing large crowds from several different regions of the state. Then, a week later, it fell silent. And it may stay that way for the duration of the 2019-20 school year as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. "Schools are meant to have commotion and activity this time of year," Fisk said. "I miss our schools being full of life and learning, our gyms full of activity and the stages full of magical music." Fisk was among several administrators from area schools who were asked by the Reflector this week what they miss the most, and what they view or appreciate differently during Ohio's state-at-home order — currently sent to expire on May 1. For Monroeville Local Schools Superintendent Ralph Moore, it also comes down to routine. And like Fisk, Moore misses the general noise that is absent. "I miss the hustle and bustle of our building as we prepare for all the spring activities," Moore said, referencing such events like prom, graduation, academic awards and spring concerts, musicals and sports. "All these things define us as a school district and community," Moore said. "Our district is the focus of so many community activities and attention that may have been overlooked before, but are now sorely missed. Not just missed by parents, students and staff — but by individuals who have no direct connection to the school. "I think when we do return there will be at least for a time, a renewed appreciation for the school district and what it provides to the community," he added. Norwalk Middle School principal Gary Swartz should be out of the cold and at Disney World in Orlando right now. He and his wife make the trip yearly during spring break, but with COVID-19 shutting down everything, he's at home. And like everyone else, Swartz is struggling with the new and unwanted schedule. "I cannot sleep at night because I am not as mentally tired as I usually am at the end of a school day," Swartz said. "Thus, I stay up later and sleep in later. I am a morning person. When life is normal, I get up at 4 a.m. to exercise, eat and shower before getting to school at 6:30 a.m. My schedule is all screwed up now that I cannot sleep well." As for what he misses the most, Swartz said it's the one-on-one time with NMS students. "I really miss the daily interactions with the students and the teachers," he said. "Working with kids can sometimes be a struggle. However, those struggles are very rewarding, especially when I can help guide students in the right directions. I know some of my students are probably struggling with a wide variety of things right now. "Many students would come down to my office to talk about these things, and I would give them some guidance," he added. "It's sad to know I can't give them that one-to-one time to help them out." St. Paul Director of Education Darren Conley said he has an appreciation for the variety of emotions people are experiencing through the stay-at-home order. He has been calling each of the families of St. Paul students to ask how virtual learning efforts were working. "I was unprepared for the level of emotions I would encounter on these calls," Conley said. "Families with parents who are essential workers, especially those in health care fields, are experiencing some very emotional times. This can, for these families, make prioritizing education more difficult." Edison superintendent Thomas Roth knew the kids were the reason he got into education — but never realized how much he'd miss the daily interactions taken away for a month-plus. "I am used to being able to leave my office and visit classrooms and students when the stress of the job hits to help me remember why we are here and what is important," Roth said. "They are always able to make me smile and laugh. I miss all of the events that we normally have for our students at this time of year. "From our spring musical, to concerts, to sporting events to all of the end of the year events recognizing our students, I miss them all," Roth added. "It is difficult and disappointing to think that our students have worked so hard on these things and will not be able to showcase their talents and be recognized for them." At South Central, superintendent Ben Chaffee is also another who simply misses the noises and sounds of a school day. "I miss the laughter, or the elementary and middle school kids saying hi," Chaffee said. "I miss the conversations in the lunchroom with the high school students." Chaffee said his youngest daughter was set to compete in high school spring sports for the first time. The Trojan baseball team was set for another successful season. "On a personal note, I miss not being able to watch my children play outside sports and not being able to watch my oldest son compete in SkillsUSA in Welding Technology," Chaffee said. "What I have enjoyed, though, is getting my family time back. We've enjoyed family dinners every night, because there are no sports practices or 4-H schedules to adhere to right now." Moore said he's come to appreciate how vulnerable safety and security individually as well as globally truly is. "And how fragile all the things we take for granted are," Moore said. "For instance, the daily interactions with our family, each other and our neighbors. I've always appreciated our first responders, but now have an even greater respect for the nurses, doctors and health care professionals who are risking not only their health and safety, but that of their families as they work tirelessly to fight this pandemic." From a personal perspective, Fisk values how the virus has forced everyone to take a moment to appreciate families and those important to each other. "If there is a silver lining to all of this, it has to be seeing our Norwalk families reconnecting by playing in their yards, walking the parks, or riding bikes around town," Fisk said. "It's also been uplifting to witness the Norwalk community coming together to help in so many ways. From the 3D printers helping to make PPE's for Fisher-Titus to all the volunteer organizations that have helped make sure those in need in, our community have meals and food to eat during this economic downturn. We are fortunate to live in a community that always steps up when needed."