Happy First Day of School!

Happy First Day of School!
Posted on 08/11/2020
Dear TMSA and QCSS Students and Families,

The beginning of each school year is typically filled with the excitement of going back to school. It is a time to build memories, see faces both old and new, and share the joy of reunion. This year has come with more mixed emotions than ever before due to the ongoing pandemic.

It is the first time in my 28-year life as an educator that I welcome the new school year without my students' cheerfulness that enlivens our campus buildings. As an educator, I know how challenging these days have been for our teachers and staff. As a father of two school-aged children, ages 16 and 17, I fully understand our parents' concerns about getting high-quality education via remote instruction.

However, I am very confident that we will deliver superior remote instruction for all our students, just like we accomplished in the spring semester. As you know, TMSA Public Charter Schools were among the first in North Carolina to provide synchronous remote instruction at the beginning of the outbreak. I am incredibly proud of our faculty and staff for transitioning to this new teaching model on very short notice. Their professionalism, flexibility, and resilience helped to support and reassure our students during these unprecedented times. I also know that parents assumed new roles in this process. Many parents juggled working from home, household tasks, and helping their kids' online education. I would like to thank you all for stepping up and going above and beyond for our students' education.

We are better equipped now to begin this school year with our refined remote instruction model based on our experience, feedback, and reflections since last spring. As you know, our model is unique and different from the ones utilized in the neighboring schools. It aligns closely with what a student would typically experience in-person instruction by providing real-time live class sessions. It is also mindful of family needs and demands thanks to the TMSA Public Charter Schools' comprehensive support system. Like last semester, my team will ensure that our students have what they need to be emotionally connected and academically successful. My team will also be in constant contact with you to assess the effectiveness of our learning model and to ensure student and family needs are being met.

The academic success and wellness of 3,000 students at TMSA Public Charter Schools are at the forefront of our plans and efforts over the past six months. Please remember that the pandemic is still in our community, and follow CDC recommendations to maintain social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands, clean surfaces often, and stay home when you are ill. Let us do our part in keeping each other healthy and safe so that we can go back to our beloved schools as soon as possible.

There has never been a more challenging time to be a student or educator. The good thing is that we are all on the same side and doing what is best for our kids. We will come out of this pandemic stronger, and look forward to the day when we can reunite with our students and staff on our campus.

Let us work together to make this a great and productive school year for everyone, filled with many exciting opportunities.

Thank you all for your patience and continued support of TMSA Public Charter Schools,

Ben Karaduman

Superintendent
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