By Linda Reeves - The Florida Catholic Palm Beach

MIAMI | Although archdiocesan K-12 schools opened only for virtual classes Aug. 19, 2020, that doesn't mean that educators are not back in their classrooms, excited to get back to what they love — children, teaching and passing on the faith.

“Every school year brings a positive, exciting and new beginning,” said Ana Casariego, principal of Mother of Our Redeemer School in Miami, a close-knit community with 222 students this year in grades PreK-8. “This is a very different year for us, but the excitement and passion for teaching is still in everyone’s heart.”  

Mother of Our Redeemer School’s website features a welcome back to school sign with pictures of teachers and staff wearing facemasks, apparently over big smiles. The sign displays a message: “Stronger than the coronavirus.”

School administrators, teachers and assistants were physically back on campuses and in their virtual classrooms last week. Teachers say they are better equipped now than in the spring, when Florida went on lockdown and educators were forced to shift to virtual learning nearly overnight.

“We have learned lots of lessons,” said Kristen Hughes, principal of St. Andrew School in Coral Springs, which is serving nearly 350 students in grades PreK-8 this year. “Our teachers are making a shift in how they taught," she added. “You can’t teach remotely the same way as in-person. Our teachers are armed. We are ready.”

Technology and devices including iPads, laptops, tablets and personal computers are part of the education world today. Most students and schools are well equipped with devices and apps, but since the spring, schools have invested funds in additional devices, software and training to achieve the optimal in virtual teaching this fall. 

“Transition was very smooth,” said Principal Ana Garcia about her Msgr. Edward Pace High School community of 800 students in Miami Gardens. She was referring to changes at the end of the school year that prepared the way for this fall term. “Our students have iPads. We went to remote learning in one day. Our teachers are confident.”

Casariego said her mostly Hispanic students and faculty also are set.

“Most of our students were able to transition into virtual learning successfully. Our teachers were extremely supportive, and they were there for our students and parents. We also provided counseling and emotional support to parents and students through a new curriculum we adopted called Cloud9World," she said.

“Academically, data collected shows that we were able to close the learning gap as much as possible," Casariego added, "making sure all students received individualized differentiated attention depending on the needs.”

 

IPADS AND MEALS

This summer, Eduardo Flor, principal of St. Mary Cathedral School in the heart of Miami, sent out a survey to the parents of his 400 kids in grades K-8, to make sure his students are supplied with everything they need for a good school start.

“We did a survey to see what they had at home,” he said about his inner-city, mostly Haitian families, some of whom don’t speak English, have lost work with the shutdown and have no devices or internet.

The school issued IPads to all the students. Even though they will be attending virtual school, they also will get free breakfast and lunch through a state program. Packaged meals are distributed through a drive-up system.

The school’s team of 26 teachers have been fully prepared and familiarized with new technology and applications, including Google's free web service. Most important is the school’s outreach to families. Counselors are on hand to give support and guidance and assist families with any issues so that their children don't fall behind.

“Parents can always reach out to us,” said Flor. “I want to make sure in a virtual environment that we continue to educate our students — mind, body and spirit. I want to continue to fight for these children’s future.”     

 

RULES AND STRUCTURE

As virtual school opens, educators are putting some remote classroom regulations in place. Fall classes are more structured and better planned.

“We want to make it more like school,” said Hughes about the virtual classroom experience this fall. “We have rules in place, and students must wear uniforms.”

Educators saw early on that stricter rules were needed. In the spring, some students joined classes wearing pajamas, eating breakfast or focusing on social media, texting and television — and not on studies.  

Jennifer Nicholson, principal of Annunciation School in Hollywood, sent out a message in advance of school opening advising parents to have school polo shirts ready. “They will only need to wear the uniform shirt,” she said, giving her students a little break from wearing the full attire.

She encouraged parents to set up a special study space for their child. Educators noted that home spaces can be a big distraction, especially if several family members are in the house. Experts recommend setting up a quiet, clutter-free workspace to cut down on distractions that decrease attention and diminish productivity. 

Teacher assistants are working in some virtual classrooms to help the teachers and support the students during lessons, activities and work.

Flor said that virtual school will keep the traditions of Catholic education with prayer before all classes. “We always infuse the Catholic faith in all studies,” he said.

Virtual school also will include activities and games to keep students connected, something vital for their health and well-being. Schools are including art classes, drama sessions and even physical education classes with exercise, stretching and meditation instructions for health, fun and to relieve stress.

 

A DIFFERENT BACK-TO-SCHOOL

The administrators who spoke to the Florida Catholic said when school bells do ring once again and doors open, families will have learning options, and students heading back to the hallways will have a different campus experience.

The archdiocese’s schools will continue remote classes for those who prefer that. Educators will be available to continue virtual education and provide support for anyone struggling or falling behind.

St. Louis Covenant School in Pinecrest, with more than 500 students, is reaching out to parents to reassure them about alternatives. “We are aware that not all families face the same circumstances and emphasize that we are making all efforts to be mindful, understanding and flexible, as we strive for an excellent education experience,” said Edward Garcia, principal (and Ana Garcia's husband).

Tuition will remain the same as schools need to cover the costs of operations, staff and additional health and safety protocols associated with the pandemic. Credits will be given for provisions not being offered, such as cafeteria services and after-school care.

Casariego said Mother of Our Redeemer's classrooms have been equipped with all sorts of gadgets. “We have electrostatic disinfecting machines, air purifiers per room, sneeze guards where needed, hand sanitizing stations at every entrance,” she said.

Classes will be kept small, with 15 students in each. Desks will be spaced six feet apart. The school has purchased personal protection items for teachers and staff including sanitizers and masks. No one entering the school will need to touch a door handle or knob. The school purchased a Concierge Pad app for contactless arrivals and dismissals.

 

TOUCHLESS APPS, GADGETS

In a letter to St. Louis Covenant parents, Edward Garcia detailed an impressive list of building changes and safety additions for when in-person school resumes. The new features include mounted hand sanitizer in every classroom and near all entrances; bathrooms fitted with automatic flushometers, touchless faucets and foot operated door openers; and water-bottle filling stations instead of water fountains. Teachers will spray down desks and door handles between classes. Bathrooms will be cleaned multiple times per day.

Garcia's initial plan also calls for students to eat lunch in their classrooms or in the family center with social distancing. They will order lunch using an app and a packaged lunch will be delivered.  

Schools also have designated entry points and created one-way traffic-flow patterns in hallways. Student and staff temperatures will be checked daily. Parents will be asked to keep sick children at home. 

Pace High also installed high-tech sanitizing machines, foot operated door openers and water filling stations around campus. The school’s cafeteria now has plexiglass seating areas where students can safely enjoy lunch behind glass while socializing at a distance with their classmates.

At St. Mary's, Flor has purchased face shields for his students in addition to masks. He said he trusts his students will be faithful about wearing them and keeping them on all day.

“Mask have become a way of life,” he said. “We have been practicing with them for six months. Parents and children are wearing them in the stores and on the streets. Masks are just part of school items that everyone is required to have, like IDs and uniforms.”

Edward Garcia encouraged his families to keep the faith during this difficult time and to continue to trust in the Lord. “Let us not forget about human kindness, caring and love,” he said. “Let us continue to teach this to our children by our example. Let us pray that God will guide us in all that we do, all for his glory.”