The More We Text, Blog, and Email, the Less We Connect

When I took the position as Principal at Cloverdale Catholic School almost nine years ago the school had a weekly newsletter and a website.  Today, we have a Facebook page, Twitter account, Google Calendar, modernized website, teacher blog pages, Mailchimp mailouts, Class Dojo, a Principal blog, and other forms of electronic communication.  Communications from the school to home have never been more frequent, but sometimes things feel “less connected” somehow.

Modern communications have a way of doing that.  Even though we communicate more often, we can be made to feel lonely and disconnected from each other.  I think part of the reason is the “surface level” nature of our communications.  An email or tweet doesn’t convey the body language or emotion of a real conversation.  Even a printed calendar from the “old days” carries more depth of meaning than a Google Calendar.  The printed word has tangible, visible, homey qualities that make it more meaningful and experiential.  You can show it to people, pin it to the wall, and hold it in your hand.  Modern communications offer little of that experience.

Maybe I’m just getting old.  Perhaps there are parents reading this who roll their eyes and are used to and like the way things are.  For now I will endeavor to rekindle that old feeling of real communication while also staying on top of the latest in communications technology.  This is a period of change not just for our school, but for society.  We have to embrace the best of the modern world without losing touch with what makes us who we are as a community.  Let's start by talking.  If you ever want to know something, have a concern, or just want to talk, please stop by the office to say hello!