Let the spirit move you
HOW FAITH HELPS STUDENTS OVERCOME ADVERSITY
In difficult times, people of faith turn to God for guidance and comfort, and the COVID-19 pandemic has been no exception. Catholic schools aren’t simply turning to prayer, however; they are turning to each other. Throughout the state, educators, administrators, staff, students, and families are working together to overcome obstacles with compassion, love, and endurance.
Margaret Frazier, head of school and head of upper school at Sacred Heart in Greenwich, offers a glimpse at how the all-girl’s college-preparatory school is tackling the challenges of the coronavirus. “We
have been blessed to be on campus, living out our goal of ‘Every girl, every day’ throughout the fall and early winter. With 110 acres, a terrific faculty, and a dedicated maintenance crew, we made lots of changes over the summer to deliver an in-person experience since the end of August. Since relationships are at the heart of our teaching and learning, we did all we could to improve our physical plant (major H-VAC upgrades) and harness our new Health and Wellness Center to educate the girls and faculty on how to stay safe.”
In addition to the new protocols, the school has embraced its Catholic faith. She says, “We are more reflective, grateful, and aware because of our faith and the attention we have always paid to that faith being active and in service to others,” Frazier says. “We pray for others, do what we can to support our neighbors in Greenwich, Port Chester and beyond, and have continued with virtual tutoring in our Saturday outreach programs.”
She adds, “There is a tremendous spirit that ‘we are in this together’ and the students remark almost daily how lucky they feel to be at school.”
Drawing upon the school’s history for inspiration, Frazier explains, “Since we are a school founded in 1848 in New York City, we are aware that throughout our history, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ) Sisters and other teachers have done hard things—they carried the school through the Civil War, WWI, 1918 pandemic, and more. We have intrepid women in our history from whom we can learn and be inspired. That is a hallmark element of Sacred Heart—strong, faithfilled women seeking to make a difference in the world.”
Jessica Costa, director of Marketing & Enrollment Management for St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull, provides insight
into how the school is addressing the COVID-19 crisis. “The pandemic has challenged our community to creatively problem solve around our traditional instructional model as well as for our community events. In every case, we have chosen to reimagine the possibilities of our learning and extracurricular activities instead of canceling —as we say, ‘Cadets Carry On.’”
Each day, the students experience live instruction from the school's faculty. “As a school of 800 students from 36 towns,
we elected to implement a hybrid learning model to ensure safe distance within the building and careful contact tracing should the need arise,” Costa explains. “St. Joe’s has taken the additional step of installing an OWL Labs Camera in each classroom, the auditorium, and gymnasium, ensuring that our faculty can provide live instruction to our students every day and students can engage with one another, whether they are in the classroom or at home.”
Costa goes on to express the impact of
the school’s faith during this time. “Our Catholic faith has taught us compassion, and this value has influenced our approach to the pandemic’s obstacles. Student health and wellbeing drives our decision making, just as much as logistics and CDC guidelines. Here, students of all faiths are supported, celebrated, and nurtured as they navigate their own challenges presented by the pandemic.”
Amy Griffin, director of Community Engagement for the Diocese of Bridgeport, explains how the Diocese is navigating
these uncertain times. “In July, we released our well thought-out re-opening, plan which has proven to be successful,” she says. “We have had a handful of incidents where some of our diocesan high schools had to go remote long term due to staff and student quarantines, but other than that, the area’s Catholic schools have had a lot of success reopening and remaining in-person five days a week.”
In addressing the impact of faith on current challenges, Griffin extols the value of community. “Our school communities are grounded in faith and everything we do proves to be stronger because of it,” she says. “Throughout this entire pandemic, what our families valued above all was being a part of their school communities—it proves to be a safe place during uncertain times for not only our students, but for the entire family.”
Griffin feels that what makes its diocesan communities a safe place are those inside the buildings: “Our teachers are some of the most dedicated and committed educators, and I do believe their missionary spirit allows our schools to be as successful as they continue to be.”
Griffin also praises Dr. Steven Cheeseman, Superintendent of Schools for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, for his leadership: “Dr. Cheeseman’s leadership has been what has anchored us,” she states. “His ability to look at the big picture, yet to be able to support each school individually and make decisions based on what’s best for each different community, is commendable. He is continuously putting students, faculty, and staff above all, and I believe that’s what keeps him focused.”
Dr. Louis Howe, principal of St. Joseph School in Danbury, expands upon the plan outlined by the Diocese of Bridgeport. “Restrictions that are in place include cohorting (we refer to these as stadiums). Each section of the school represents a stadium, and students from one stadium cannot enter another stadium. We did this so that if one class or stadium had to quarantine, we wouldn't have to shut the entire school down. So far, we have only had to quarantine one class. Each stadium also has use of their own bathrooms as well as water fountains (bottle filling stations that were donated by parents). Lunch is eaten in the classroom instead of our cafeteria.”
He continues, “In middle school, teachers rotate instead of the students (this prohibits students from spreading germs on another student’s desk). Specials are done in the classroom or the gym for further distancing. Drop-off and pick-up are staggered so distancing can be achieved.”
In a pandemic, not only is it about academics, but it's also about caring for each other, and the importance of another's dignity, according to Howe. “Our Catholic faith teaches us about making sure we are safe and are taken care of,” he says. “During this pandemic, our students know the importance of keeping each other safe and healthy, which is why we have been teaching in-person since the start of the school year. Saint Joseph's is a school that has been around for nearly 100 years. There is so much love for this school that no matter what challenges or difficulties we may face, we will find a way to overcome.”