Each August I meet with our staff before the start of the school year. This year’s message was to remember that while we may all be in the same storm, we are not all in the same boat. The situations surrounding the pandemic are different for everyone, and therefore our decisions regarding the pandemic must account for that.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But conscience asks the question, “Is it right?”

‘The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of convenience, but where they stand in moments of challenge, moments of great crisis and controversy.’

Decisions surrounding the pandemic can be difficult when risk, convenience and popularity come into play. I am so proud of our community and staff for putting those notions in the background to ask, “is it right?” Since we are all rowing different boats, “right” may take on a different look for the people sitting next to us.  Whether or not we agree with all of the protocols the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Education have asked of us, I believe we can all agree it has been nice to open our schools and participate in our extra-curricular activities.

We can certainly say that we have had to stand in moments of challenge, great crisis, and controversy. I am grateful that Sandy Valley Local has a conscience.

Thank you for bearing with us and supporting us as we jockey the boats and brave the storm. Although no one can forecast where the COVID-19 storm will take us, I truly believe great things will come as we continue to maintain our focus on the children of the Sandy Valley Local School District.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and go Cards!

David J. Fischer, Superintendent