The Crusader - Summer 2021 - 4

RE-OPENING SCHOOL
K
nowing that students learn best in
person and that the physical presence
of a person has a sacramental quality
that cannot be replaced, Aquinas returned
to 100% in person school for the 20202021
school year. All PK-8 students were
invited to be on campus Monday through
Friday with new tools to allow a quick
transition to a hybrid model or eLearning if
needed. Additionally, there was an at-home
learning option offered with assignments
posted online and tutoring support for
families who felt safer keeping their
students home.
There were many changes for the 20202021
school year to ensure all COVID
requirements were met.
● Morning drop off was adapted to use
all three school entrances to reduce
crowding at a single entry point
● Facial recognition temperature scanners
and hand sanitizing stations were present
at each entrance and students were
required to take their temperature and
sanitize their hands upon entry
● Students went directly to their
classrooms in the morning rather than
gathering in the school hall
● Hallways were directional, separated by
stanchions and tracked with star stickers
on the floor to indicate the required three
feet of social distancing
● In the classroom, desks were spaced
three feet apart and teachers, rather than
students, switched between classrooms
to reduce sharing of spaces and mixing
in the halls
● 1:1 devices were provided to all students
in grades 1-8
● Masks were required indoors with
extra recesses scheduled to allow
students to remove their masks
outdoors while distancing
● Schoology, a learning management
system, was implemented school-wide
to allow students, teachers, and parents
to manage academic content online
Our teachers were heroes this year; in a year
when many teachers refused to return to
school, our teachers came back and worked
harder than ever. They taught with masks on
and supported both the at-home learners
and the in-person learners. They carefully
reminded students to maintain social distancing
and adapted lessons to fit within all the new
requirements. At the end of this school year, we
honored the Aquinas faculty and staff for their
dedication to our students and our mission.
4
THE CRUSADER | SUMMER 2021
The Crusader - Summer 2021

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