the
PHARCYDE
THE BENJAMIN SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
@thepharcyde_tbs
4875 Grandiflora Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
17 August 2021
@thepharcyde_tbs
Volume 43
Issue 01
In With the Old: School Reinstates, Revamps Policies Evan Liberman Managing Editor
Although a significant portion of the U.S. population is vaccinated against COVID-19, the virus shows no signs of stopping–at least in Florida. Regardless, the administration has restored certain pre-COVID-19 policies, in addition to implementing new ones. Significantly, the School has once again revisited its policy when it comes to facial coverings. In a May 24 email to the Benjamin community, Head of School Mr. Faus announced that facial coverings would become optional for all on campus starting June 7. Mr. Faus added that “our community [Benjamin] fully embraces any person who chooses to wear a face covering.” In addition, Upper School Dean of Students Mr. Kevin Jacobsen told The Pharcyde that the School is committed to re-evaluating COVID-19 protocols as the situation with several variants–most notably the highly contagious delta string– evolves. On July 30, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order that affirmed “parents’ freedom to choose whether their children wear masks” and blocked certain public school districts’ mask mandates. In accordance with this rule, Palm Beach County public schools have implemented a mask mandate with an opt-out op-
tion- parents can opt-out of their child wearing a mask to school. The Benjamin School, like other independent schools, has thus been challenged to revisit policies from the Spring. In an email message to our community, The School announced that “All students (grades PK3-12), faculty, staff, visitors, and guests are required to wear face coverings while indoors. When outdoors, face coverings are not required.” Addressing those who prefer to not wear masks, the School’s policy is clear: “For families who want a different option we will be offering a temporary Remote Learning Program.” For these remote students in the Upper School, teachers will provide Zoom links to allow for class attendance, while major class assessments are required to be taken in person, on campus. Notably, “students who take a project-based course, such as those in the Arts and Innovation Department, may not be able to remain in the course if they choose the remote option.” Finally, those who choose to be remote are not allowed to participate in “interscholastic athletics, after-school theatre productions or clubs that require an in-person presence.” According to the Aug. 11 email, “Each decision made in this policy has one goal in mind: to safely open our campuses and allow them to re-
main open in order to offer the most outstanding in-person education possible.” For those returning to campus, the School will be removing the one way directional signs and the entrance or exit only doors, returning campus movement to what it was preCOVID-19. Further, normal bathroom capacity has been reinstated. According to Mr. Jacobsen, students will have less leeway when it comes to the dress code and being tardy. Communicating the motivations behind the reinforced dress code, Mr. Jacobsen said: “It was simply less of a priority [last year] given the circumstances, but we have to get back to it to establish expectations we have for our students and present ourselves in the best manner possible to guests at school.” Ordering from delivery services such as UberEats–which became a popular way for students to get lunch last year–will no longer be allowed. Mr. Jacobsen explained that “allowing constant food drop-offs is not needed nor are they reasonable to manage for our front office staff trying to fulfill their normal duties.” A final area of school life that’s being altered is the activity period that took place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has been renamed “community block” and, unlike last year when all students could leave
Upper School Dean of Students Mr. Jacobsen spent some time this summer brainstorming ways to continue to keep our campus safe, our community strong, and our policies clear. (Photo by Charlie Spungin)
school when the period began, this year, students without a valid excuse or senior sign out privileges will have to remain on campus. It is also being moved to a different time of day than it was last school year. This too is a sign that life on Grandiflora Road is returning to normal because this block follows the structure that was in place prior to the pandemic. Senior Tyler Taplett, who was at Benjamin when the pre-COVID-19 activity block was still in place opines, “It will be very beneficial [for
students] in specific scenarios. For example, it allows students to finish homework, meet with teachers, and organize club meetings. On the other hand, the revamped activity period could be useless to some students who use this time for nothing but sitting around.” Regardless of how useful students feel the reinstated procedures are, Mr. Jacobsen says that the ultimate goal “is to return to normal but also keep the policies we implemented last year that worked well.”
The Pharcyde’s guide to personal statements - p. 9
Tokyo 2020 2021: Olympic Games Recap - p. 10
What’s Inside
‘21-’22 Grade Level Chairs Introduced - p. 2
New editors share their goals for the year - p. 4
US welcomes new teachers to campus - p. 8-9