BOARDING LIFE
during the pandemic by Laura Mason, Director of Boarding and Health Services
COVID-19 presents an interesting, some might say terrifying, array of dilemmas for all schools. In such a short period of time, we have been faced with situations we never imagined in our wildest dreams. It started with the realization that some of our students might not want to travel over the 2020 March Break. We decided to keep boarding open ensuring that no one was forced to travel to, what we thought at the time, were places where the novel coronavirus could be problematic. Not long after, we were challenged by the prospect of shutting down our school. We were also challenged by the possibility that our students who were home, would not be able to return to campus, and those that were here, still needed to travel home. It took some time, along with the assistance from many people, but our students made their way home and learned virtually for the remainder of the 20192020 school year. Though it was like nothing we had ever experienced before, we were committed to continue our boarding community. Hosting online events and meetings, we conducted proctor interviews virtually and stayed connected while moving forward. We were determined to not let the pandemic hinder our plans for the future. PLANNING AND PREPARATION This past summer, our boarding proctor team spent much of their time planning and preparing for the return to school in September. Behind the scenes, we were preparing for what boarding would look like upon the students’ return;
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looking at our practices and adapting them to COVID-19 restrictions imposed on us. The proctors had to be creative with every aspect, from registration day to orientation activities. We had to adapt and modify everything with safety in mind. Not only were they up for the challenge, but they used it as an opportunity to reimagine things with the goal being fun and connectedness. WELCOME BACK, BOARDERS The first students arrived in mid August and began their 14-day isolation program that we set up in partnership with a local hotel. There, students self-quarantined for the required 14 days before coming to campus. They had the supervision of PC staff, meals delivered to their rooms, twice daily health checks, and regular virtual programming including fitness and yoga classes. Before moving into boarding at Pickering College, our boarders had to be administered a COVID-19 test. Although we were not physically together, there was a lot of excitement about the start of school. However, due to travel restrictions and study permit processing issues, not all of the boarding community was able to return in September. We continued to focus on being a community and tried not to let the challenges of time zones, physical distancing, and cohorting keep us from creating that close-knit community we have always worked toward. Starting back in July, the proctors began contacting our new students to develop relationships with them and answer any questions they might have. To date, they continue to be in touch online as we begin preparing for more students to make their way to Pickering College in person. A NEW NORMAL As we planned for the fall term, we knew that, although we couldn’t do the things we were used to doing, we wanted to make things as great as they can possibly be. We traded off-campus excursions for
many different offerings of on-campus activities. Each week, our associate faculty and proctors work to bring various activity opportunities to the community. We have enjoyed regular movie nights, BINGO in the Dining Hall, a Halloween escape room in the Firth House common room, a hike and a picnic around Fairy Lake, table tennis, hot snack night, Christmas tree decorating, pumpkin carving, video game competitions, origami, associate faculty Halloween door decorating, fitness room sessions and duty office Christmas decorating. The students continue to find ways to stay connected. Safety and wellbeing are very important to us, and the boarding students are all doing their part to adapt and be flexible given this challenging time. They have been able to find ways to stay social and create memorable experiences with their friends and classmates despite the unusual circumstances we are facing globally. RESILIENCE, PERSEVERANCE, DETERMINATION Not only have our boarding students shown a tremendous amount of resilience and perseverance, but they have demonstrated a determination to not let COVID-19 take away from their unique experiences. They are strong and creative. As we move through this pandemic together, we are committed to building a community where everyone is included. Boarding is a special place and a time for building relationships, and despite the challenges we are faced with, this continues to drive all that we do. Our boarders who have had to wait to join us in person, can look forward to a virtual boarding orientation while they wait out their isolation period. We are so looking forward to welcoming everyone as soon as they are able to be here with us in person. Although the pandemic has made things different, the students have proven that together, anything can be made better.
