6 minute read
Voices of the Pandemic
It’s been said more times that any of us want to hear, “these are unprecedented times.” As we look back at the 2020-2021 school year and everything that challenged our school community, the voices of our students and faculty/staff have given a perspective of how the challenge was met.
We asked a group of faculty/staff and students the following questions:
SHARE A MEMORY THAT EXEMPLIFIES HOW UNIQUE THIS YEAR WAS: WHAT DID YOU MISS THIS PAST YEAR?
“Learning through a screen in my own room was not what I was expecting my junior year to be like. Having to learn alone in my own bedroom through a screen isn’t what I (or anyone) expected high school would be like.”
CHRISTINE HOA NGUYEN ’22
“We were usually asked to stay outside for lunch. During days where it was cold, my friends and I sat just inside the doorways staying spread out and would shout to each other across the hallway.”
ANNELIES DE MOOR ’24
“In many ways this year was unique (hybrid learning, reading Shakespeare and doing poetry workshops in a virtual setting, cicadas, etc.), but I think certain things were the same...which makes me even more grateful for those moments. So, watching the little goslings being brought down to the theater courtyard, reading our favorite holiday stories before Christmas break, sharing all of our must-read books at the end of the year—I was impacted by those moments of normalcy all the more.” DR. MEGAN MINOGUE (English Chair)
WHAT ARE YOU NOT GOING TO MISS FROM THIS PAST YEAR?
“I am not going to miss the one-way hallways. They may have kept me in shape and helped me get my steps in, but holy moly it was tiring to walk around in circles just to get back to one classroom!”
MEGAN STEELE ’22
“I’m definitely not going to miss the isolation from all my friends, and the long hours spent staring at my iPad during virtual school.”
ANNELIES DE MOOR ’24
“I will not miss the virtual ASAs [All-School Advisory]. There is just something so special about the whole community coming together on Mondays to jump- start the week. The school spirit, that energy, is essential to the atmosphere of our school, and it’s something that I feel sets us apart from other schools.” JULIE RITTER (School Counseling Director)
“I am not going to miss students on screen while other students are in class. Many times, it felt disconnected.” ASHLEY GARDNER (Science teacher) “Seeing the student productions is always a highlight of my year, and while I very much enjoyed the virtual versions put together, there’s something about being in a live audience that is a profound difference for both actors and spectators.” DR. MEGAN MINOGUE (English Chair)
“The thing I missed most about this past year was being backstage during our shows. Luckily, we were able to be back again for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, but before then I felt as though something was missing from my life. I met some of my favorite people working backstage, so being away from it was definitely difficult.”
MEGAN STEELE ’22
“I missed experiencing significant events with the school community. I am hopeful that over time next year, we can all experience events like those again.” NIA REDDICK (School Counselor)
“Building individual relationships with students is an important foundation to the counseling field. We strive to make students feel welcomed, included, empowered and engaged. So much of the work we do is about nurturing relationships with students, staff and families. The virtual world certainly made that a bit challenging for the counseling department. We made the most of it, though; relying on technology, we consistently supported our virtual students through Google Meets and Google chats, but it sure was nice to eventually meet most of our students in our offices again.” JULIE RITTER (School Counseling Director)
“I missed the typical interactions you have with your students. When someone was struggling with a lesson, having to keep the distance was difficult.” ASHLEY GARDNER (Science teacher)
“Making sure that everybody was ready for changes in procedure. It wasn’t always seamless but getting students and staff on the same page for 2020-2021’s ups and downs doesn’t seem easy at all. Holy Cross really seemed to nail the dynamic where everybody moves together.” DR. ANDREW REINSCH (Theology teacher)
“I believe that Holy Cross did a tremendous job in giving the Holy Cross community a sense of normalcy once vaccines were beginning to be distributed, instilling hope that next year will be close or back to normal.”
CHRISTINE HOA NGUYEN ’22
“Delivering quality, engaging lessons to the students.” LIZ BALDACCI (History and Social Studies teacher)
“As a transfer student, Holy Cross provided me with a welcoming community where I was able to feel included despite all of the obstacles that interfered with this year.”
ANNA DEMINO ’22
“Holy Cross really made sure to reach out to its students. Our teachers did an awesome job making sure everyone (especially the new freshmen) felt accommodated and supported throughout the whole pandemic both inside and outside of their classes.”
ANNELIES DE MOOR ’24
ANYTHING ELSE?
“I just want to acknowledge that not only has this year been difficult for the students but also the faculty and staff—huge props to the faculty and staff for their energy, effort, and patience this past year.”
CHRISTINE HOA NGUYEN ’22
“While it was definitely a difficult year for so many, I wanted to thank the AHC teachers and staff for their dedication and hard work during this funky time. They made virtual classes feel welcoming and a little less scary, so just for that they deserve all the thanks and praise! And a big shout-out to the facilities staff as they worked diligently to make sure that all of us were safe and clean during these months!”
MEGAN STEELE ’22
“I am so proud to be part of what I call a national team of educators. As educators all over the nation, we showed our courage, resilience, and work ethic to make sure that the education system was able to be held up in strength. I am so proud to be a School Counselor, and I am ready to bring the same tenacity for 2021-2022. Together we can accomplish anything.” NIA REDDICK (School Counselor)
“This school year threw many challenges at us but Holy Cross was able to uphold the collaborative environment, prioritizing the students’ health and education.”
ANNA DEMINO ’22
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING TO AS A SCHOOL?
Here again, nearly every response included returning to time-honored Holy Cross traditions and being together in person as a community.
“I love fresh starts! A new school year screams hope and possibility. I look forward to hearing our students’ perspective about some of the new classes we are offering and I look forward to welcoming our Class of 2025 and transfer students.” JULIE RITTER (School Counseling Director)
“Adapting what I learned from using modular instruction online to the classroom.” LIZ BALDACCI (History and Social Studies teacher)
“I really like to draw on whiteboards while I teach. I’m not good at drawing, but it’s fun to do while we’re having a discussion. Arrows; concentric circles; cubes; happy little trees. I want it all in 2021-22.” DR. ANDREW REINSCH (Theology teacher)
“I am looking forward to seeing all my friends again in one spot. I did not have many friends in my cohorts at the beginning of the year, so to be able to have all of my friends in one place again will be amazing!”
