Dekalb County School District, like most districts in our country,  is facing the daunting and unprecedented challenge to support and protect students, teachers and faculty since its doors closed in the spring of 2020 due to Covid-19.  Even as we stagger along the road to recovery, students continue to play catch up to minimize the impact of the loss of learning during that time.  Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for us to address these learning gaps through rigorous instruction and attention to the social and emotional well-being of our students as well as the adults who tirelessly serve them daily.