BRISTOL – What a difference a week makes. During the week of March 9, students at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol filled the halls and classrooms. But by the middle of the following week, they were safely at home, continuing their studies on their first day of distance learning.
When the Archdiocese of Hartford made the announcement that in-person classes would be suspended until at least March 31, the school adopted a virtual, distance learning plan that includes course work planned by its teachers and the use of Zoom.com.
While not the same as in-person classroom learning, Zoom.com gives students and faculty a way to interact each day as if they were physically together. Through Zoom.com video communications, students and teachers see and hear each other, and students can raise their hand virtually to be called on.
James Cooper, dean of academic life said, “While we would never be able to achieve a perfect match in the virtual environment, our students and teachers are going where St. Paul Catholic High School has never gone before. They are joining live sessions so that class discussions/instruction can continue across all classes and academic disciplines.”
On Wednesday, March 18, students began their school day at 7:57 a.m., logging in on computers at home to receive live instruction from their “A period” teacher, followed by meaningful discussions with their classmates. At 12:17 p.m. they logged off to enjoy a 20-minute lunch at home, and then logged back on to start “G period,” continuing until the end of school day at 2:12 p.m.
Students from St. Paul Catholic High School attend class on March 18, their first day of online learning. Photos courtesy of St. Paul Catholic High School.
Teachers were relieved that the first day of classes proved successful. Elizabeth Kelly, a religion and social studies teacher at St. Paul, said, “I am so grateful that teaching active and engaged online lessons are totally possible. I am pleased to see my students showing up and participating in class. It makes this entire situation more acceptable and proves that real learning can still take place remotely. It has been more challenging, but it is rewarding. I am happy to still be able to live out my vocation as a teacher.”
President of St. Paul, Cary Dupont, was pleased by the cooperation of faculty, staff and students. “I am incredibly proud and inspired by the enthusiastic response of our faculty in creating a meaningful and supportive distance learning plan in order to meet our student’s educational needs,” he said. “No doubt, this will be a transition for everyone – one that will require patience, flexibility, understanding from all … and certainly commitment and personal motivation from our students.”
Families are adapting to the change. Lisa and Dave Millerick have three children enrolled at St. Paul and all three are now learning online at home.
“Hearing the laughter and engagement over virtual classrooms has brought a smile to our faces throughout the day,” Lisa said. “The faculty and administration’s dedication to their students is truly inspiring and will help us all to really remember what matters in times like this. St. Paul gathered together to keep our school a true community.”
So far, so good, according to the Millerick kids. Daughter Sami Millerick, a sophomore, said, “It’s really great to be able to see all of my classmates and friends, even if it’s not in person.”
Son Chris Millerick, a junior, said, “I have been able to learn and focus extremely well and it’s working better than I expected.”
Natalie Millerick, the senior in the family, said, “As a senior, this has been really hard and it all came so suddenly. Through it all, the teachers and staff have been very supportive. I appreciate how much effort they are putting in to give us a ‘normal’ school life.”
Dean Cooper praised everyone for their dedication in pulling together for the sake of the students. “This experience has opened new possibilities for students and teachers beyond the four walls of the classroom and has demonstrated how a caring, compassionate and dedicated community can come together in even the most difficult and challenging of circumstances,” he said.
On the first day, in an email to parents and faculty titled “Day 1 (or Day 121),” Dupont wrote, “Congratulations, we did it! … This was no small feat and today, we witnessed what greatness looks like when we all come together.”
St. Paul Catholic High School, established in 1966, is a coeducational secondary school of the Archdiocese of Hartford, serving 430 students from over 35 communities in central Connecticut. Its vision, to be a truly great Catholic high school, is achieved by living its core values of faith, character, community, excellence, and service.