COVID-19 has affected all of our lives. Although our daily routines have been disrupted, it is almost incomprehensible to know that over one million children in the United States have lost a parent to COVID-19. The continued effects of this disease can be seen across our nation, state and here in New London.

In the fall of 2021, New London Public Schools (NLPS) welcomed our students back, and for some this was the first time in a classroom in almost two years. Coming into a structured environment has presented many challenges as both students and staff adjust to a new normal, a normal that for many is defined by the struggles and trauma they have been experiencing.

The reality is that many in our community are struggling with employment, housing, food, isolation, mental health, and a deep fear of contracting COVID-19 and possibly death. Our students have missed the opportunity to receive education in school buildings and many are adjusting as they come back from a screen-only education into classroom space.

In our community, New London has seen homeless families triple in numbers, reports of abuse and neglect increase, drug overdoses expand, and physical violence has escalated alarmingly. Our middle and high school-age children are dealing with physical and emotional growth while at the same time managing their classroom studies and the challenges that come along with social media inundation, misinformation and bullying.

To address the needs of our students and staff, NLPS has stepped up support through various social-emotional initiatives. NLPS is participating in formal curricular lessons, restorative circles, and individual and group counseling sessions (including outside referrals). NLPS has also tripled its efforts to do personal home visits to students' homes. The school district has added additional guidance counselors and social workers, wellness interventionists, and other mental health professionals who not only work with students who are struggling but provide support to the families as well.

NLPS continues to work closely with our city partners. The strong relationship with the New London Police Department and Chief Brian Wright has the shared goal of keeping our students and staff safe both inside and outside of our schools. Supported by Mayor Passero, the City Council and the Board of Education, Jeanne Millstein, director for human services, and Cynthia Ritchie, the superintendent of schools, continue to develop our Birth to Age 8 Community Resource Center, which is now open and functioning at the B.P. Learned buildingon Shaw Street. The center provides services to address homelessness, IT literacy, food services, mental health, and is also home to additional preschool classrooms and educational, hands-on family events every three weeks.

As city and educational leaders in New London, we are working tirelessly to help our community members who are struggling. So, what else can be done?

Parents, take time to check in with your child regarding how they are adjusting to school and community. Monitor your child's social media accounts and know and understand with whom they are communicating and for what purpose. Know where your children are. Connect with your child's school, teachers, and the school district as a whole. Ask questions. Visit your school. Attend parent-teacher conferences and schedule a follow-up if needed. Join in the district and school-sponsored engagement events. Check your child's backpack regularly. Know your child's academic and social-emotional levels and learn about the various resources and services available around the clock. Counseling services are available at any time and for no cost to a family.

Use the Anonymous Alerts function in the NLPS app to report any concerns. Know that NLPS has a highly-trained CORE Safety team, which responds to needs or concerns around the clock. If you read something on social media about the school that concerns you, call the principal, superintendent and/or a Board member. If a school needs to go into a safety lockdown, families will always be notified via text and email immediately during and after, so please keep your contact information updated. Bring concerns to the administration so that any missing information can be shared and solutions can be found.

Teachers and staff, continue to know, understand and love your students. Take good care of yourselves as you are working around the clock. Thank you for teaching and/or supervising extra classes due to ongoing open positions and staff absences. Thank you for planning for instruction for multiple grades at once, and meeting learning challenges as many are going in and out of school because of quarantine and illness. Thank you for reaching out to families beyond your contractual day to offer additional support, share your care and concern, and highlight students' successes. Your dedication above and beyond is noted and appreciated.

Students, continue to be your very best self. Get to class on time, put your cell phone away, and focus on the lesson at hand. Join student leaders' clubs and share your ideas, concerns, and solutions. Be a good friend that mentors. Be kind to others; do not participate in nor tolerate bullying, whether it be in person or through social media. Know that your peers have most likely experienced some of the same hardships you have over the past months. Report any concerns immediately to the administration. Surround yourselves with administrators, teachers and a variety of support staff including counselors, social workers, nurses, interventionists, coaches, club teachers, etc. Have hopes and dreams and continue to aim for them. Cherish your gifts and talents and use them. Know you have an entire community behind you supporting your success!

Community members, attend various community and school-sponsored events and support our elderly, our families, and our students. Serve as a role model for others. Contribute as an active consumer of information, as a participant in a meeting, as a volunteer in the community, for city department initiatives, and in our school system. Support youth sports, religion, art, music, etc. Watch your neighborhoods and know how to report any concerns to the city personnel. Come out to a monthly NLPS sponsored community meal at Jennings School. Ask us about joining a city or Board of Education committee to add your expertise, ideas, and suggested solutions.

New London is strong and has always been. Our combined strength will continue to positively impact generations to come as we rise and work together. The world has changed and is continuing to transform. Although many challenges have been thrown at our entire community, many opportunities have also presented themselves. Let's capitalize on these opportunities and move together in partnership for ALL adults, families, and students of New London!

Cynthia Ritchie is the superintendent of schools; Elaine Maynard-Adams is the president of the New London Board of Education. Michael Passero is the mayor of New London. This article was also signed by members of the Board of Education Jefferey Hart, Bryan Doughty, Nathan Caron, Danni Cru, Frank Silva and Bianca Alexis; City Councilors Efrain Dominguez, Martha Marx, Reona Dyess and James Burke; NLPS administrators Kate McCoy, Jenn Hills-Papetti, Bob Stacy, Valeria Kelsey, Rob Funk, Kristea Francolino, Beth McCaffrey and Carrie Rivera; and city staff members  Brian Wright, Tom Curcio, Jeanne Milstein and Steven Fields.