Student Experience

My classroom experience has overwhelmingly been positive. While the progression through my course slowed, I think the boys actually enjoyed this new style of learning.

BY DR. R. BRYAN SEARS, SCIENCE TEACHER

Teaching & Learning remotely

The experience looks like this: I record my own lecture videos, example problems and my video feed alongside with my screen-shared slides.

For my lectures, I have gotten creative with demo materials, using balloons to mimic hybrid orbitals, a doc cam rigged from my iPad to show my work with the periodic table and worked problems. I have even created my own animations to help my physics students understand the nature and behavior of light. Once a week I meet with the students face-to-face on a Zoom call. We check in with

one another, talk about what is working and what needs to be improved, and review for upcoming assessments. I also hold office hours daily for one-on-one assistance and appreciate the opportunity for face time with students. I even think my office hour appointments are more productive now because students schedule them with specific questions!

I believe students and parents appreciate that I record my own lectures, and not just share something on the internet from a stranger. All my videos are archived on Canvas for the boys to watch and re-watch as they study. In science, I think this is especially helpful because seeing the content and problems once is usually too brief for students to digest the ideas. Student benefit greatly from getting a repeat performance of the steps and logic used to solve multistep problems–– and the results have been evident in performance on homework and quizzes.

Our Chemistry Club, affectionately known as the Lab Rats, has also continued to meet during our remote learning time. We have met to check-in and support one another, as well as discussing the science behind the pandemic after a wonderful presentation on the biology, chemistry and physics of COVID researched and presented by the group leadership. It is definitely harder to do, but we are making our club work remotely with fun ideas like a cooking chemistry meeting on Friday for grilled cheese sandwiches.

In all, I think BC High was well positioned for this pandemic. Our students and teachers were already using the frontlines of technology in the classrooms to delivery instruction, assess student performance and create new learning opportunities beyond their curriculum. Our transition to remote learning went smoothly because our classrooms were prepared and accustomed to have technology as a core learning tool.

A

ddress To the Class of 2020

BY TOMÁS TREJO

’20

Since the beginning of quarantine, I created a morning routine for myself to mirror somewhat of a schedule. One of which is logging onto Twitter and checking the Dalai Lama’s most recent tweet. Yes, I am an avid fan of the Dalai Lama’s Twitter account, but I’m not the only one. I have 19.3 million other supporters with me. The tweets are brief counsels for living a more aware and moral life.

Earlier in April, on a sunny morning, after waking up at 8:28 a.m. just because I could, the daily quote stood out from the rest. It read: “The very purpose of spirituality is self-discipline. Rather than criticizing others, we should evaluate and criticize ourselves. Ask yourself, what am I doing about my anger, my attachment, my pride, my jealousy? These are things we should check in our day to day lives”.

Class of 2020, when we first entered BC High, we had things done for us. Starting from the first day of orientation when our senior mentors welcomed us, walked us down to the bookstore to take our Eagle Card picture, and let us have the satisfaction of winning against them in dodgeball. But now, we are the ones leading the freshmen down the halls telling them where the language labs are. We are the ones leading cohorts through the Mother Teresa Project to engage and liven the experience of students with learning disabilities. We are the ones planning the inaugural homecoming. But it doesn’t stop once you’re granted the title of alumnus. It only heightens the responsibility. The uncertain times we find ourselves in are a testament to the calling that we have.

I want you to know that life is not a straight line. It is filled with twists and turns, peaks and valleys. And trust me right now, it is extremely difficult to remove yourself from the bubble of frustration and despair that confines you. But doing so allows you to see the opportunities to make the most from our current situation. What are BC High alumni doing? They’re collecting old devices to donate to a medical center facilitating communication between family members in the hospital. They’re creating a Facebook group to brainstorm ideas and fundraise for a scholarship fund dedicated to students of color.

Taking a step back to reflect is sometimes necessary to take two steps forward. So I ask you. What are you doing about your complacency? What are you doing about your ignorance? What are you doing about your prejudice? And most importantly what are you doing about your privilege? It will not be easy – but no change ever came with ease. As BC High alumni, we have an obligation, a moral responsibility to ask these hard questions of ourselves, so we can lead. We have worked incredibly hard the past four years. As we get through this period, know that your accomplishments will be recognized. Congratulations and best wishes for the future. Thank you. 15