A Virtual Hug From Professor Kahn

To our kids:  

In these tough times, I sincerely hope that you and your families are ok and doing well.  As you know, this pandemic is pretty much turning this world upside down – including our piece of it here in Detroit, as well as in our Math Corps sister cities of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Utica, and Ann Arbor.  Schools are closed, jobs are on hold or being lost, and tragically, for too many, this disease has taken away someone precious. 

It seems like a good time to be together – even if we have to connect from a distance.  So, it should be no surprise that COVID-19 or not, one way or another, The Math Corps is running this summer.  We’ll be ready to run this show live and in person, if we can, and we’ll be ready to run online if we have to. But we’re running!

Even now, as I am writing this note, our TAs and PAs are being interviewed for their jobs and talking about all the right things; like caring about kids, furthering their own educations and wanting to make this world a better and more just place for everyone.  

Our CIs and CAs have already applied to lead their teams and provide their all-around support.  And Mr. Boehm and Mr. V, what can I say? They are, every single day, thinking of the absolute worst, stupidest and most torturous “jokes” in the universe.  And yes, we will all have to listen to them!

Mr. Boehm Speaking
Mr. Boehm trying his jokes out on some students.

At this time, I have to be honest.  It looks like we’ll be doing the online thing.  

For a program totally built around “loving and believing in kids”, giving hugs online will be pretty challenging.  But we’ll be fine.  

You guys will still need to work hard and do your homework every day.  Our high school TAs and PAs will still need to be the big brother and big sister to our 7s, 8s and 9s that they’ve always been, and our CIs and CAs will still need to be role models for all.

And all of us will still need to practice living our lives through kindness, integrity and with courage.

As we all fight our way through this current situation and into hopefully a great summer ahead, I need you all to remember The Math Corps’ three rules:

  1. Be yourself.  Each of you is beautiful, unique and irreplaceable.
  2. Always strive to find your greatness.  And above all…
  3. Be safe.

We will, of course, keep you and your families updated on all decisions and if the camp needs to run virtually, we will as always, provide each of you with all the materials and supplies you will need.  Can’t wait for the summer.

Professor Kahn