Dr. Michael Doyle
BY DR. MICHAEL DOYLE
Achievement.
That is a word that gets thrown around quite a bit in this country. What is an achievement? Grades, job promotion, painted that bedroom that is long overdue for a fresh coat of paint?
Achievement can be anything. Prior to starting to write this column, I went for a bike ride. Is bike riding an achievement? Of course. Something was achieved. And I did not fall off of the bike.
When striving toward any type of achievement, adversity is always a part of the process. After all, most of us had training-wheels at one point when learning to ride a bike to prevent us from falling.
The 2019-2020 school year has been one in which adversity has impacted all of us due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Who would have thought a virus would shut down schools throughout the United States?
Trenton Public Schools have had to work through this adversity like all the other districts in the country. The district is working to achieve.
For example, the district created a learning hub to continue teaching and learning for the purpose of student achievement. The district also continues to provide meal service for all students.
Also, the 2018 Bond work continues throughout the district. Most of the work at Trenton High School will be done outside of the building on the baseball, softball, and football fields. The fencing around the high school will be replaced and a new natatorium will be built.
Some of the 2018 Bond work at Hedke and Anderson Elementary schools include the old gyms, and media centers being repurposed. Anderson will have work done on the roof and Hedke will have bathrooms and window replacements, among other projects going on this summer.
As for Arthurs Middle School, projects over the summer include outside work on the tennis courts and track. Interior work includes the media center, band room, and collaboration areas.
The district will continue to achieve with the 2018 Bond work in this difficult time. This adversity has been difficult for all students. One can only imagine the impact the seniors are feeling as they have missed out on a traditional graduation ceremony, that last day of school, Prom, spring sports, and many other events that bring a school year to a close.
However, in the long run, the adversity will only make our students stronger. Students at all grade levels are learning to adapt to a trying situation. All this means that such life lessons will only help our students in the future, to be more prepared and able to achieve as they move through life.
Dr. Michael Doyle is community liaison director for Trenton Public Schools.