As Gaston Day shifts to its new virtual learning format, I have been working mostly from home and trying to do my part to "flatten the curve" of the Covid-19 epidemic. What a strange, exciting, frightening new world we are living in.
Before I share some thoughts on this new reality, let me go ahead and tell you just how proud I am of all my Gaston Day colleagues, and the way we have united around delivering a quality virtual
education to our students. There was no spring break for many of us, and what we accomplished in
just over a week is truly remarkable. From my perspective, we are rising to the challenge, and my heart is truly overflowing with gratitude toward my amazing team of educators! We are off to a strong start, and we are in this for as long as it takes. Years ago in the 1970's during my Gaston Day football playing days, we had a cliche that was corny, but true:
"When the going get's tough, the tough get going." We are going at Gaston Day.
I also have to tell you how proud I am of my GDS classmate Andy Warlick and his Parkdale team as
they organized the American textile industry in an effort to produce millions of desperately needed masks for the health care industry. Andy's patriotism, vision, and know how are extraordinary, and people around the world are talking about what Parkdale is doing. One of our Tower Bridge International recruiting partners in South Korea told Carolyn Senter that Parkdale's efforts were national news there. Andy Warlick's leadership brings honor to his alma mater. Thank you, Andy.
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Every morning I get up, dress for work, putting on a shirt and tie as I always do. I am determined to maintain my routines and traditions in this new virtual setting. There are teleconferences and Zoom meetings all day long to make sure that the school is running well. What would we do without technology and social media? Imagine what would have happened if the Covid-19 virus had struck a decade ago? We lacked the infrastructure to produce a virtual school. But now we can. It's a crash
course in technology usage. I am learning so much about hot spots, Zoom, Google hangouts, synchronous learning, and asynchronous learning. When the crises passes, we are all going to be so much better technology users. There are silver linings even in an epidemic.
Another unexpected blessing is how much this crisis has made me appreciate my family and the
natural world. My visits with my 20-month-old grandson James Isaac are now only Facetime calls. But the other day he called me "Papa" twice as he smiled at me over my iPhone. And the beauty of spring is oblivious to Covid-19. The pair of phoebes that build a nest each year in our garage is back. Watching the female on her nest reassures me that there is so much that remains natural and unchanged. The rhythm of life is still beating.
Please know what a privilege it is to lead such a fabulous school. My dedication to Gaston Day School has never been stronger. I hope all of you are doing well. I will be calling many of you over the next several weeks to check in and see how you are doing. Spartan Strong, Spartan United.
Dr. Rankin
Every morning I get up, dress for work, putting on a shirt and tie as I always do. I am determined to maintain my routines and traditions in this new virtual setting. There are teleconferences and Zoom meetings all day long to make sure that the school is running well. What would we do without technology and social media? Imagine what would have happened if the Covid-19 virus had struck a decade ago? We lacked the infrastructure to produce a virtual school. But now we can. It's a crash 
