Dear Parents and Families,

I helped found Cornerstone twenty-one years ago because I believed passionately about providing a rigorous and challenging education in an environment that was loving and honoring of God.  So much of what I love about Cornerstone has to do with the community -- greeting students out front in the morning, sitting in on deep group discussions of difficult books in High School, seeing elementary teachers present lessons that are engaging, and witnessing the look in their students' eyes when they finally get a new concept.  From chapel to hallway chats, and even the visits to the office by students that need a little redirection or to be heard -- so much of what I love about Cornerstone happens in this building in person.  I have felt a deep sense of loss sitting in this building alone, to be honest.  

That is why it is so hard for me to announce that we will begin the first quarter this year with distance learning. We have also canceled fall sports (volleyball and running club).  We had a committee of teachers and staff researching how best to provide a Cornerstone education while keeping students safe.  We had originally explored three options: full distance learning, full in school learning, and a hybrid or combination of in-school and distance learning.  While we had originally opted to do hybrid learning in the fall, the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and the announcements by several local school systems that they were only going to do distance learning made us reach out to parents to get their input and feedback.

In both surveys, with over two-thirds responding, almost sixty percent of you were not comfortable sending your students to school with the state of the current pandemic.  Many of you wrote on the survey your concerns about student health conditions, health concerns of family members, and just general fear.  The surveys were very helpful and insightful.  And, I get it.

Others of you noted the struggle this decision will be for your family.  I want you to know that we are exploring options to assist with students who either can't be kept home or who will struggle with distance learning and will need added help.  More details on this will be forthcoming.

Our prayer is that we can move to full in school learning or a hybrid model at the end of the first quarter.  I long for us to be back in community where we can love each other in person!  That being said, our teachers are preparing hard for a positive online experience.  We will have an in-school orientation for parents and students the first week of school.  More details will be forthcoming.

Please feel free to email me with your concerns or thoughts.  I am so honored to be the principal of such a great group of students and families and we pray for you often!

Principal Max