Take Care of Each Other

Director of Diveristy and Community Life David Thompson notes that, at Bishop’s, we recognize the impact of campus closures will be widespread, and that impact will vary by family.

Schools are the center of family lives throughout our country, and our campus closure disrupts meals and childcare with little time for transition. When school campuses close, everything changes from the conversations with loved ones to utility bills. At Bishop’s, we recognize the impact will be widespread, and that impact will vary by family.

While our most important act is caring for ourselves and our families, please look out for one another. Reach out to friends, classmates and parents, to ask how they are doing. If you need to leave your home to go to the store or run an errand, reach out to those you know—whether or not they live near you—to ask if they may need something. There’s no way to know who among us is affected by COVID-19, without basic needs, in financial distress, or otherwise, if we do not check in or offer to help.

Throughout the region are a few services addressing a few of the unexpected challenges you, or someone you know, may face:

Several schools within the region, confirmed by the County Office of Education, will give meals during public school closures to any student age 2-18 at any location listed on this site. The list updates daily.
San Diego 2-1-1 is a local network with information on food banks, diapers, emergency resources, and restaurant meal programs among other public services—temporary and long term—including specific COVID-19 Information and Resources.
Individuals facing short and long-term chronic illness and/or are under medical quarantine can reach out to Mama’s Kitchen for nutrition services.
Cox Cable will offer free and low-cost high-speed internet for families with school-age children. I do not have a direct link to other companies yet, but the San Diego Union Tribune yesterday reported that local-serving internet companies are making changes to boost speeds and waive fees to support students and workers at home.

As this health crisis evolves, asking for help may be new, uncomfortable or embarrassing. As a child, and later as an adult, my family faced challenges necessitating help from our community and friends. I know the gut wrenching reflex associated with realizing that my family alone could not meet our needs, and yet without the care of others, I would not be in the position I’m now in, able to pay it forward. If you face nutrition or housing insecurity, that priority takes precedence over school work. Please let me and/or Kim Cooper know if you face unexpected issues; the school will work to ease the burdens we can. Megan Broderick also remains available to students facing stress and anxiety.

When I think of the many ways we can care for each other, I think of strategies both overt and subtle, including how we talk about the virus and social distancing. Last week, I sent a message addressing the undue scrutiny and acts of cruelty facing Asian community members in and outside of Bishop’s, and remind you to please think of the people who are on the receiving end of jokes and reactions to our changing news cycle. The New York Timesshared this piece from a Chinese-American teenager on March 14, speaking on her personal experience. Let’s model the support for one another that we hope to receive from family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. I hope we’ll continue to refer to this novel coronavirus by its proper name, COVID-19.

If you find yourself in a position to safely donate time or resources, please let me or Kim Cooper know, as there may be ways you can support Bishop’s students. Or, consider contacting Feeding San Diego and Mama’s Kitchen (mentioned above), who are committed to meeting the needs of those most affected throughout the region.

I appreciated Ron’s words to faculty and staff last week when he reminded us that our school has gotten through two world wars, polio, the Great Depression, and the economic challenges that followed September 11. We will get through this too.

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