I returned to Bishop Maginn High School today, for the first time since March, and it was a very important thing for me to do, I was thrilled to be back there, although it was not nearly the place I left in March.

I was kept away from almost everyone, and ordered to stay in my sanitized room. Sue Silverstein and Maria have been plotting my safety, and I never cross the two of them.

The Army Of Good safety tools were evident everywhere, from plastic and plexiglass sheets to masks to disinfectant fogging sprays social distancing signs, and a fully-equipped nursing station, safety petitions, gowns, and individual cameras for the art class.

Principal Mike Tolan asked me to thank all of you for the amazing support the school received, he said they could not have opened without the safety supplies required by the state.

Principal Mike Tolan, a hero.

The supplies also meant a grueling summer for Mike, School Secretary Chris Cioffi, and Sue Silverstein. They were at the school day and night, seven days a week, all summer and right up to the school opening in September.

I was shocked to see Chris enveloped in all kinds of protective armor – she has an immune deficiency Everyone entering gets their temperature taken, wears masks and socially distances as well as high school students can.

She works hard, is always cheerful, and never complains. She is also a hero.

Zinnia was greeted like royalty there today, many of the students helped me train her as a therapy dog before the pandemic. She was a hit.

This was her first return to the school since March,  she was a big hit. Sue Silverstein, her godmother, took her around the school. One boy was having a sad day, and Zinnia made a beeline for him.

I was ushered into the principal’s meeting room and not allowed to move about the school, for my safety.

While there, I interviewed a refugee student who had been severely beaten and hospitalized at an Albany Public School. She is thriving at Bishop Maginn, I’ll write her story later tonight.

I am so happy to be back.  Lots of planning.

We are moving ahead with (the kids will make up the list, under supervision)  an Amazon Gothic Novel Wish List, a new Mentor program where Army of Good members can “adopt” a refugee student and keep en eye on them, the hunger project, and also a Christmas Amazon Wish List so that each of the kids can get at least one gift at Christmas.

Christmas promises to be heard for them this year.

And I got a gift – two Bishop Maginn High School Masks. It looked different, but it was the same place – warm, loving, safe, and special. They really care about one another and the children there.