R E T U R N I N G TO S C H O O L S A F E LY:
Preserving the School Experience in a Pandemic By Allyson Guay
When the news first broke about the coronavirus in January of 2020, the Dunham
administration and faculty reviewed and updated a distance learning plan already in place as a precaution, unaware that they would be called upon to execute that plan in March of 2020 and keep it in place for the remainder of the 2019–2020 school year. As a seven-time Apple Distinguished School, Dunham had the creativity, innovation, and proficiency to nimbly transition to distance learning. When the decision was made to reopen for face-to-face learning for the 2020–2021 school year, the school relied on those same qualities to create a safe learning environment where students could continue to experience all aspects of school life as fully as possible.
For Head of School Steven Eagleton and his leadership team, the goal was always to reopen fully for the 2020–2021 school year. Thanks to a unique partnership with Ochsner Medical, Dunham was able to safely operate day camps and athletic practices over the summer and began planning in earnest for the start of school. Due to traditionally small class sizes, campus layout, and the dedication of the faculty, along with health and safety protocols developed in partnership with Ochsner, students returned for face-toface learning on August 6, 2020. Almost every aspect of the school experience, from carpool and lunch procedures to classroom arrangement and traffic flow, had to be modified. The health and safety of students and staff were monitored daily, and COVID-19 testing and reporting protocols were put in place. Remaining in compliance with the CDC, AAP, LHSAA, and the 2
Louisiana Department of Health, the school was able to create the best experience possible for each student, complete with athletic, fine arts, and extracurricular activities that keep them plugged in, connected, and supported all year. Not only did students excel academically, but with modifications and a little creativity, they were able to bring live theatre back to the Brown-Holt Chapel Arts Center with an improv comedy show in January and A Night at the Movies later in the spring. In athletics, competition continued at the highest level with teams bringing home a record number of state championship titles this year. Reflecting on the success of the 2020–2021 school year, Steve Eagleton says, “There was no instruction manual for operating school during a pandemic. The situation and restrictions seemed to change weekly, if not daily, so our teachers really had to be flexible, pivot, and keep on going. Right: Leslie Anna Allred ’31
