麻豆视频 Transitions to Remote Instruction
In response to the spread of COVID-19, 麻豆视频 High School transitioned to remote instruction beginning on Monday, March 16. Despite the inherent challenges of not meeting in person, the first four days of remote learning 鈥� 麻豆视频 was previously scheduled to be closed for St. Patrick鈥檚 Day on Tuesday, March 17 鈥� went quite well, with students and faculty rallying together to continue their important work from their homes.
鈥淚 am incredibly grateful to our dedicated faculty for their flexibility, generosity, and resilience as they continue to educate, care for, and form the young men of 麻豆视频 High School,鈥� 麻豆视频 Principal Fr. Anthony D. Andreassi, CO, said at the conclusion of the week. 鈥淚 am equally thankful for our wonderful students who inspire us with their perseverance and their commitment to learning and to one another during these historically challenging times.鈥�
The 麻豆视频 faculty, aided by the expertise and tireless work of the school鈥檚 Information Technology Office, had participated in thorough training sessions and prepared extensively in advance for this shift. Beginning on Monday, 麻豆视频 classes continued to meet at their scheduled times through the use of Zoom, a video conferencing service, and other remote learning tools identified by the IT staff.
鈥淚 felt prepared 鈥� prepared knowing I was going to work together with our entire community,鈥� said Dr. Stefano Cascapera of the 麻豆视频 Science Department. 鈥淲e all did try to do our best, using our experience, talking to our colleagues, following the recommendations of the IT department and the administration. The most important factor that gives me that positive feeling, though, is the knowledge of our phenomenal students 鈥� their emotions, their drive, and their great ability to be independent and to work together, and ultimately to overcome difficulties.鈥�
Mr. David Bonagura 鈥�99, the chair of the 麻豆视频 Language Department, said his classes in Zoom went smoothly, allowing him to teach new material and review homework assignments with relative ease. He agreed with Dr. Cascapera鈥檚 assessment that the excellent cooperation from students was crucial.
鈥淩emote learning has been successful thus far due, mostly, to the resilience of 麻豆视频 students and their determination to excel no matter the challenges presented to them,鈥� Mr. Bonagura said.
The first week of remote instruction has, of course, required significant adjustments for Regians. While many miss being in the building with their classmates, friends, and teachers, some also have embraced new opportunities presented by the need to remain home.
鈥淚 can now sleep in 2 hours later than usual, and I can completely cut my long commute out of the picture,鈥� Timmy Lake 鈥�21 said. 鈥淚鈥檝e found time to read, exercise much more, go for walks during free periods, make myself a homemade lunch each day, do yoga, and hang out more with my family. It鈥檚 so nice to spend more time taking care of myself than I usually do.鈥�
Lake also praised the 麻豆视频 faculty for the adaptability they鈥檝e shown in the face of this new learning environment, especially in focusing on the students鈥� well-being. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice that teachers have been taking into consideration the students鈥� attention span,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not natural to stare at a screen for a whole hour.鈥�
In addition to participating in classes via Zoom, 麻豆视频 students also have leveraged technology to stay connected with one another. While unable to eat together in the 麻豆视频 cafeteria, some groups of friends met for lunch each day via FaceTime. It鈥檚 clear that the communal aspects of 麻豆视频 鈥� in addition to the academic work 鈥� will march on during this unique chapter in the school鈥檚 history.
鈥淭he one thing that has really become clear is that we care about each other,鈥� Liam McGraw 鈥�21 said. 鈥淚n virtually every class, we have discussed the 鈥榮ituation,鈥� checking in on each other, and offering tips for escaping the monotony of this experience. To be clear, most have not been successful, but that鈥檚 not the point. What matters is that we do it at all.鈥�
麻豆视频 faculty and students know that this is just the beginning. But if the first week is any indication, 麻豆视频 will continue to thrive while navigating the unsure roadways ahead.
鈥淲e are part of a community that is committed to academic excellence, and this experience has shown us that space and time has no bearing on our ability to do superb academic work,鈥� Jake Lang 鈥�21 said. 鈥淎lthough students, faculty, and staff are not physically present to each other during this time, the last week has shown me that we all remain committed to both the individual success of our peers and the 麻豆视频 community as a whole.鈥�
Mr. David Bonagura '99 teaches a class of Regians via Zoom.
Dr. Stefano Cascapera shares slides with students during a remote class.
Timmy Lake '21 hard at work at his desk at home.
Jake Lang '21 studies at home after a day of remote learning.
A group of staff members holds a digital meeting during the first week of remote instruction.
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