Transition to Distance Learning

Learning from Afar: Dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic

St. Timothy’s navigated this unprecedented situation by following daily updates from the state Health Department and Centers for Disease Control, enacting preventive measures and communicating changes in operations with the greater school community.

Empty classrooms. Empty hallways. Empty playgrounds. Empty administrative offices. No, it’s not a weekend at St. Timothy’s—teachers are still teaching, students are still learning, and the administration is still keeping the school running on track. Welcome to mid-March through the last day of school in early June when the St. Timothy’s campus was closed. Day-to-day operations remained somewhat the same: classes were held, tests and quizzes were given and group projects were worked on. The only difference is that everyone is working remotely. Contingency planning began in early March, with a team of administrators and faculty leaders determining the best platforms, designing distance learning portals, and investigating best practices around scheduling and communication for extended off-campus learning—all still with the hope that we’d never need to use the plans. Local news station CBS-17 learned of our contingency planning, and a reporter came to campus to interview Head of School Tim Tinnesz. Sarah Little, the head of the middle school math department, invited the reporter into her classroom to share some of the preparations. After close consultation with the Board of Trustees, Mr. Tinnesz announced that St. Timothy’s would to transition to distance learning to provide the students, faculty and staff and parents greater safety from COVID-19. The announcement came on Friday, March 13, right before a scheduled professional development day the upcoming Monday. School was closed for students for the subsequent two days as the recently-developed contingency plans were put into motion: the teachers were trained and Chromebooks and iPads were distributed to lower school students who needed them. Many teachers of the youngest students delivered the classroom materials needed for distance learning by hand.

During the transition, CBS-17 checked in

with St. Timothy’s to see how the school was managing during the pandemic. Mrs. Little did a follow-up interview with CBS-17 as she prepared to teach that day’s lesson from her kitchen table. She explained that the most important aspect of distance learning is “making sure we have those live interactions with [students to] see how they’re doing, check in on them and have those opportunities for face-to-face interaction as we’re all separated from each other.” At the end of that week on Thursday and Friday, students began utilizing the tools the faculty

had prepared; they watched distance learning orientations and tutorials, got their new class schedules and began working on independent assignments. Interactive distance learning classes kicked off the following Monday, March 23. Although there were some technological hiccups, all in all, the day went well. Students were excited to see their classmates and teachers, and everyone was determined to make the new style of learning work.

Teachers and the IT team brought their

A-game that first week. Lisa Kinlaw, fifth-grade literature teacher, used Flipgrid so her students could videotape themselves reading their essay reflections aloud, and watch classmates’ videos and respond to them. Laura Bierer, Pre-K through fifth-grade art teacher, had her students draw their tennis shoes: first from memory, then again while looking at them. Ms. Bierer then had the students explain which drawing they liked better and why, and submit their work by uploading photos. Second-grade teacher Jennifer Scully recorded read-alouds for her class to watch independently. And co-curricular teachers, like Physical Education teacher Ivan Gattis and lower school Science teacher Jane Elkins posted lessons on the distance learning portals that the students could do on their own time to complement work for their core classes. All who had designed and implemented these plans were eager to hear about the student and parent experience in this new distance learning environment, so the School sent out surveys at the end of the first week. A few days later, Mr. Tinnesz shared the incredibly positive feedback with faculty and staff. One family wrote, “The hard work that has gone into this process is evident and greatly appreciated! We are so grateful to be reconnected in our STS community and to have an established routine and a bit of normalcy. Aside from a few Chromebook freezes (which I’m told is normal!) the technology platforms seem to be working very well also. Kudos to the IT team in their new roles and also to the teachers for adjusting to teaching in this new environment while balancing their own home lives.” Another said, “I commend all the teachers at STS for rolling out this whole new style of learning in such a quick time frame! I also commend them for having extra help sessions and being available to talk! You all are WONDERFUL!” And a third, “Fantastic attitude and energy of the staff and leadership. You all jumped in at a time of crisis and made this change happen in record time.” All faculty and administrators have been heartened by the widespread support and are very grateful for the flexibility and understanding students and parents have shown during this extraordinary time.

Community is such an important aspect of life

at St. Timothy’s—and that hasn’t changed even though we’ve moved to virtual platforms. Social distancing and distance learning have inspired us to invent new ways to connect. A group of administrative staff started meeting weekly to brainstorm and plan virtual events. This newly created community outreach team has come up with numerous ideas for students, On Monday, March 23, STS students started interactive distance learning. Ms. Bierer keeps her students engaged with asynchronous art projects.

“We are so grateful to be reconnected in our STS community and to have an established routine and a bit of normalcy.”

The STS campus is closed, but learning continues virtually.

The Powells were one of the many STS families that participated in the Note in the Pocket Virtual 5K.

Mr. Turnage was touched when car after car honked its horn during the drive-by birthday parade.

parents, prospective families, alumni and the greater St. Timothy’s community to stay involved. Basketball Team Day, Pajama Day and Bring Your Favorite Stuffed Animal to Class Day.

One of the most popular of these new

community building events is the virtual walking challenge. On Friday, March 27, St. Timothy’s challenged our community to walk during distance learning. And wow, did the St. Timothy’s community show up by walking, jogging and running! Within a week of the roll-out, more than 1,240 miles were already recorded. Keep up the great work! Lindsay Behrens and Tim Coleman, the Heads of Lower and Middle School, respectively, have continued their Coffee and Conversation sessions. Now held through video conferencing, Mrs. Behrens and Mr. Coleman have designated times when they meet with parents of certain grade levels to answer questions and share updates about distance learning and the curriculum in general.

On the weekend of April 24, many St. Timothy’s families got in their miles by participating in the virtual Note in the Pocket Socks & Undie 5K Rundie. Note in the Pocket is a local nonprofit that collects clothing for impoverished and homeless children in Wake County. Mr. Tinnesz, who serves on the board, fielded a team for the event. So many people signed up for the 5K that we won an award for having the largest team. Students now participate in weekly spirit days—Themed Thursdays and Friends T-shirt Fridays. Each Thursday is a different theme, like Attending to our community’s various needs, the Friends’ Prayer Group began to convene weekly on Thursday afternoons instead of early mornings once a month. Using Zoom, participants gather for a devotional and pray for both the St. Timothy’s community and the world at large. The community outreach team also circulated resources for St. Timothy’s families, such as a list of available babysitters for parents, and a list of restaurants and businesses to patronize that have a direct connection to the school. In addition, the team shared links to numerous external resources like Marbles Museum, PBS Kids and Scholastic,

that parents can consult when looking to entertain and further educate their children.

Just like any school year, we’re celebrating

birthdays. First-grade teacher Angie Austin and former Security Officer Clarence Turnage were both surprised on their special days by birthday parades, organized by parents. Mr. Turnage’s birthday surprise was such a success that CBS-17 featured it in a story on their evening newscast that same week. As this year’s eighth graders are unable to spend their spring semester together physically, the social media team decided to do something special for the last few months of the school year. Each eighth-grade student is highlighted on Facebook and Instagram with a post that includes their photo and fun facts about them, like what they’ll miss most about St. Timothy’s, what their favorite class is or if they prefer the beach or the mountains. The same day that St. Timothy’s announced that the beloved eighth-grade trip to DC was not happening, Mr. Tinnesz decided that our circumstances would not prevent another treasured tradition from happening. Shortly thereafter, a team of teachers and administrators personally delivered a ceiling tile to each eighth grader so they can decorate it from home, with a promise that we will return to campus to hang those tiles together as soon as we can. That team of volunteers drove everywhere from Raleigh and Wake Forest to Cary and Knightdale. On the night of Monday, May 4, a few faculty and staff used the cover of the darkness to place yard signs in front of the houses of those graduating eighth graders. On Tuesday morning—exactly one month before the last day of school— the STS Class of 2020 woke up to the surprise and were thrilled with the unexpected recognition.

There’s no question that this spring has

been difficult. But what is amazing is how the St. Timothy’s community has rallied in the face of adversity. Everyone—parents, students, faculty, staff and friends of STS—has tackled this challenge together and with optimism. We can’t wait to welcome you back to campus!

Each eighth grader was surprised with a yard sign in the front of their house one month before the last day of school.

2020 STS Class of Congratulations

A WARM WELCOME:

Although Boucan-Carré is more than one thousand miles from Raleigh, the city is near and dear to the St. Timothy’s School community. Nestled in the remote Haitian village is our partner institution, St. Timothee’s School, which nurtures and educates more than 150 children, ages five to 18. We partnered with St. Timothee’s in 2016, after former Headmaster Mike Bailey brought the opportunity to current Head of School Tim Tinnesz’s attention. Mr. Tinnesz worked to establish the partnership and since then, small groups of faculty, staff and church members have gone to Boucan-Carré on three occasions to get to know the students and teachers at St. Timothee’s, explore the town and experience Haitian culture. This past January, Eudras Ceus, the liaison between the two schools, visited us for a week. Lisa Lowrance, middle school Spanish teacher, and Kathryn Donohue, fourth-grade teacher, worked together to coordinate his schedule, as they have both traveled to Haiti and wanted to make sure that St. Timothy’s extended the same warm welcome that our partner institution has always given us. During his time here, Eudras maintained a packed schedule. In one day, he spoke to middle schoolers during Chapel and made laminated placemats with a fifth-grade Community Connections class and toured the school grounds and read a book written in both English and Creole to second graders and enjoyed a fiesta with a fourth-grade Spanish class and presented to STS faculty and staff! Over the next few school days, Eudras read to Pre-K and kindergarten students, taught Creole to fourth and sixth through eighth graders, made sticks of chalk out of Plaster of Paris with the sixth-grade Create Class and spoke at a lower school assembly. A former math teacher, Eudras also swapped lesson ideas with our teachers.

The visit culminated with our Dine for Haiti

Spaghetti Dinner that served as both a fundraiser for St. Timothee’s School and a communitybuilding event. Dozens of families came laden with food to donate: dinner rolls, pans of baked spaghetti, salad fixings, desserts and drinks.

Left: Students at St. Timothee’s checking out their new bags from STS.

Right: Eudras reads a book written in English and Creole to second graders.

Eudras Ceus Visits STS

Parents, faculty and staff members volunteered to set up, serve and clean up after the event. With all event items donated, we were able to allocate all the proceeds to our partnership. Approximately 200 students, parents, faculty and staff enjoyed the community dinner and heard Eudras explain the significant impact our school has on St. Timothee’s. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $3,000 that will directly benefit the school in Haiti. As the whirlwind week came to a close, it was time for Eudras to begin packing for Haiti— however, there was one big problem. He couldn’t fit everything into his suitcase! Luckily, that issue was easily solved and, gifted with two more suitcases, Eudras was able to take two refurbished laptops, two flutes and other small instruments, school supplies, sticks of chalk, STS swag, five red and five blue STS soccer jerseys, laminated placemats, whiteboard markers and more back to his school community. Why does St. Timothy’s support a school in Haiti? As part of our Episcopal identity, we are called upon to educate, nurture and strengthen our community—of which St. Timothee’s School in Haiti is an integral part. Our partnership isn’t one-way. It’s mutually beneficial, as we expand our students’ horizons and develop personal relationships with the St. Timothee’s students, faculty and staff. This year, 11 middle school students were nominated to be “Haiti Helpers;” they made posters promoting the Dine for Haiti Spaghetti Dinner to hang up around school and helped greet guests and make the dinner an enjoyable evening for everyone. John Michael Waite, an eighth-grade Haiti Helper and the Student Council President, said, “The St.Timothy’s partnership with our sister school in Haiti has shown me a different view of how kids like me live. It has made me more appreciative of my life and the opportunities here in the United States.”

Since the beginning of our partnership,

St. Timothy’s has supported our sister institution financially: helping to provide meals for every student, potable water, Internet access, school supplies and other essentials. The daily meal at school is sometimes the only meal students eat.

Eudras socializes with St. Timothy’s faculty and staff, parents, students and friends during the Dine for Haiti Spaghetti Dinner.

Fifth graders show off some of the college memorabilia available at the Attic Treasures = Haiti Education fundraiser, held during the Talent Show.

When the partnership first began, all of the students at St. Timothee’s gathered in one large room—used as the church on Sundays—to learn. At any moment of the day, lower school students learn to form letters and write their name while upper-level students work on complex math problems and dive into literature. The only separation between the classes is that the bench seats face different directions, so the students can look at their teacher. Can you imagine trying to focus on the lesson with four or five other classes going on at the same time? With our financial assistance, St. Timothee’s started to construct new classrooms so they could separate students. Construction commenced, but quickly stalled when the country was thrown into political unrest. In the summer of 2018, Haitians began protesting rapidly increasing fuel prices. The protests became deadly and more frequent as people began to express their dissatisfaction with the corruption of the government led by President Jovenel Moïse. Groups of people gathered in the streets of highly-populated cities, including the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Haitians were upset about the lack of transparency about billions of dollars the government had received to help rebuild the country after a devastating 2010 earthquake. As society focused on political issues, rumored embezzlement and the country’s economic state, construction at St. Timothee’s halted in its tracks. The school was closed for months, as it was too dangerous for the students to travel to school. The situation gradually improved, and students returned to school. As things continue to get back to normal, St. Timothee’s plans to resume construction. During his time at St. Timothy’s, Eudras talked about this moment in St. Timothee’s recent history. After learning about the situation, our community was inspired to find additional ways to generate support for the partnership.

Earlier this semester, fifth grade math teacher

Carol Lockrow discovered a hidden treasure in her attic: hundreds of framed and loose art prints by artist Jerry Miller. The long-time Cary resident, who favored pen-and-ink drawings, focused primarily on scenes from North Carolina. He drew landmark buildings on college campuses, lighthouses at state beaches, everyday nature vignettes and more. When Mrs. Lockrow uncovered these masterpieces, she immediately

St. Timothee’s students are enjoying a sunny day outside.

Eudras teaches Creole to Mrs. Lowrance’s Spanish class.

wanted to share them. With help from her fifth graders, Mrs. Lockrow organized a fundraiser called Attic Treasures = Haiti Education. She and her students sold more than $800 worth of the artwork and college memorabilia and have given the proceeds to supplement monies St. Timothy’s contributes to fund new construction and to supplement teacher salaries at St. Timothee’s. In addition, all ticket sales to the St. Timothy’s Talent Show, amounting to more than $600, have been dedicated to our partner institution. By visiting St. Timothy’s, Eudras has given us a first-hand account of how our financial support has helped the St. Timothee’s community grow over the years.

Recently, we received a very generous six-figure

legacy gift from a prior donor who was supportive of our partnership with St. Timothee’s. We are blessed with this unexpected gift, and are actively considering the best ways to use the funds for the benefit of the partnership. We are happy and grateful for Eudras’ visit, and that we are continuing to strengthen our partnership with St. Timothee’s School in Haiti.

Eudras helps students write messages in Creole to make laminated placemats.

Three classes are being taught in one room at the same time at St. Timothee’s.

CLASS NOTES

This year is the inaugural year of the STS Alumni Club. Alumni of all graduating classes receive a monthly email with updates from the School, alumni spotlights, invitations to alumni gatherings and more.

St. Timothy’s alumni are excited to connect with the School: more than 25 people from the STS Classes of 2006-2012 came to socialize at Lynnwood Brewing Concern around Thanksgiving, and the High School Alumni Homecoming Dinner—always a big hit—drew more than 90 high schoolers back to campus in late January.

Read on to see what our alumni have been up to!

1

2a

2b

3

4

1995

Jenny Eyster Halasz (1) is married to Neil Halasz. They have two children, Daniel, age 13, and Brian, age nine. Jenny owns her own business, JLH Marketing, Inc.

2006

Jenny Erwin (2a) recently showed her newest collection (2b) of her equestrian-inspired clothing line, Apacceli, at Paris Fashion Week (PFW). She was among the 10 Up and Coming Designers of the PFW “Ones to Watch” competition. Jenny started Apacceli in 2018 and went to New York Fashion Week last year. She currently attends the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she is getting her master’s in luxury and fashion management. To keep up with Jenny’s latest accomplishments and clothing launches, sign up for Apacceli’s newsletter on www.apacceli.com, and follow her on Instagram at @apacceliofficial.

2007

Sarah Griffin (3) moved to Durham with her fiancé and their dog in September. She is working at the UNC TEACCH Autism Program as an Autism Specialist. Sarah mainly works with toddlers who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers, helping them understand their child’s unique learning style and developing strategies to help them learn. Sarah says, “It’s been so wonderful being back home and working with an organization that helps so many people in my community.” Tyler Kress (4) has been living and working in the heart of Silicon Valley for the past two years. He moved to California after accepting a job in the Trust & Safety Department at Google, where he works as a data analyst. Tyler’s team is responsible for ensuring that developers using Google Cloud are building apps that are safe for the public to use. He writes, “it’s been a wonderful experience so far, and I’m constantly motivated by the level of impact of my work. Even small decisions have the potential to protect billions of end users!” He is also taking advantage of the outdoor activities that California has to offer, from skiing in Tahoe, to hiking in Yosemite, and rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. His latest adventure was a 10-day road trip with his girlfriend through Arizona, where they visited the Grand Canyon and countless state parks. “I’m glad that I made the move out West, but North Carolina is definitely calling me back!”

Cameron (’07, 5a) and John Austin

Luck (’10, 5b) run a production company called Openwater Films’. They started it almost two years ago and focus on creating highend promotional and brand videos, documentaries, and commercials. The brothers have worked with several companies in North Carolina, California and Florida. Cameron says, “We’ve had the opportunity to film in some incredible places, including a recent shoot in Puerto Rico for an adventure travel company. I’m looking forward to what the future

Where in the world are our alumni in college?

Every February, St. Timothy’s sends a Valentine’s Day treat to its alumni in college. Parents of 8th graders bake pans of brownies and volunteers get together to stuff boxes with the homemade goods, candy, pens, sticky notes and STS swag. This year, we sent more than 150 goodie boxes to alumni in three different countries!