Society often diminishes the value of words, but words shared by a teacher have the power to steer lives.

It was unsurprising, then, to learn from “Preliminary Distance Learning Survey Results,” submitted by Assistant Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti to the Board of Education at the start of July, that when asked what they would like to see more of, if distance learning is necessary in the future, live interactions with teachers and prerecorded teacher lessons were among some of the top responses by both students and parents. To the same question, parents also responded saying more interactions between students and their peers would be an improvement — again, not surprising.

That sentiment was repeated in answers to another question on barriers for supporting distance learning: Some intermediate, middle school, and high school parents said the lack of opportunities for students to interact with their peers was the greatest obstacle.

With the state’s drive to have students in school full time for the 2020-21 school year, assuming cases of COVID-19 remain low, Newtown responded with three models: a full-time in-school model; a hybrid model, with the student population split to alternate attending school; and a full distance learning model. Parents may also opt to have children learn from home.

When unveiling the district’s re-entry plan to the Board of Education later in July, Uberti, Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, and Director of Teaching & Learning Frank Purcaro noted efforts have been made to bolster both interactions between students and teachers and between students and students for future online learning plans.

Another response to the survey feels like an “essential” focus: More than 60 percent of parents of elementary school-aged students shared that “family/work issues” were a barrier to distance learning.

While we may feel alone behind our computer screens, there is a world that continues churning. That world requires work and patience.

Working on essential priorities goes hand in hand with the practice of patience. The curriculum may appear the same, but the methods of delivery are relatively new. Few were prepared for online learning, perhaps least of all those with both jobs and young children.

Focusing on priorities takes commitment: The lives of community members are essential; maintaining jobs to provide food is essential; and steering the education of our youth is essential. To balance these priorities, as Uberti told the school board in early July, there will be “bumps” and “mistakes” this fall — and patience will be needed by everyone.

The district can only reach so far into homes. Perhaps this is a time for the community to explore ways (with social distancing in mind) to support parents and teachers struggling to balance young learners and work. Supporting parents through patience to relieve stresses in turn helps the education of the town’s youth.

While the community practices patience in this new churning world, may we also stretch our minds to find new ways to support our brightest priority: our students.

This week’s editorial is by The Newtown Bee education reporter Eliza Hallabeck.