b'2RAPPORT | Feature StoryThe Kids Are Not Alright. In Schools, this New Normal is Anything Butor many districts, the start of this schoolSchools provide more than academics, they provide F year marked the first fully in-personsocial interactions, structure and schedule, food learning experienced since March ofsecurity, and access to both emotional and physical 2020. Two senior classes have graduated.health care. The pandemic created an unprecedented This years first and second graders have never hadlevel of uncertainty and disruption that has impacted a normal school year. Juniors entered high schoolall these things. buildings having last left in-person instruction asWithin school environments, the systemic middle schoolers. During this pandemic, every singlerelationships school leaders rely on to conduct student in this country has experienced some formeducational work have all also been strained. These of lossfrom social experiences to extracurricularrelationships among and between school committees, activities to milestone events. parent groups, teachers, administrators, unions, state We have all been through a taxing, frustratingleadership and foremost with and among our children and traumatic year. Our children have never had suchare essential.disruption in their learning, their relationships, andThe country will have to continue to rebuild their psychosocial development, said Presidenteducational environments for years to come. As this Nicholas Covino. Sadly, they will continue towork progresses, there are many critical questions on experience the psychosocial sequelae of thisthe minds of school leaders, educators, and parents. pandemic for years. At the core of these questions is: What can we do to'