Dear Faculty,
I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to bring Chemeketa’s spring term to life during this unusual and restrictive time. You’ve been innovative, collaborative, resilient, and student-focused. I appreciate that you are continuing to provide high-quality teaching and learning experiences and going the extra mile to be receptive and responsive to students’ needs. Again, my profound thanks.
Please let your students know that we have a comprehensive Remote Learning Hub online. to help them be successful at learning “remotely.” It includes everything from tutoring to IT help to basic-needs resources to information about drive-up wifi access in our parking lots. Please consider adding the Remote Student Services link to your syllabi.
All the best to you and your families,
Jessica
Jessica Howard, Ph.D. | President / CEO
Chemeketa Community College
Lockdown
Yes, there is fear.
Yes, there is isolation.
Yes, there is panic buying.
Yes, there is sickness.
Yes, there is even death.
But,
They say in Wuhan, after so
many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks
of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes,
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone may hear the sound of family
around them.
They say that a hotel in the west of Ireland
is offering free meals and delivery to
the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading flyers with her
number
through the neighborhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today, Churches, Synagogues,
Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick
the weary.All over the world people are
slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking
at their neighbors in a new way
All over the world people are waking
up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To love.
So, we pray and we remember that
Yes, there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes, there is isolation.
But there does not have to be
loneliness.
Yes, there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes, there is sickness.
But there does not have to be
disease of the soul
Yes, there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of
love.
Wake to the choices you make as to
how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by
Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM. 3/13/2020