Staying Connected Through Distance Learning

Forging Pandemic-Proof Bonds

COVID-19 has required our boarding community to pivot education plans like never before. Schools and students are proving up to the challenge.
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually every aspect of our lives. Working and learning from home have become the new normal. For boarders, this has been an especially unusual transition. Being together 24/7 in tightly knit groups is the cornerstone of the boarding school experience, so to have that come to an unexpected and abrupt end has been a hard adjustment for all of our students and faculty. But the boarding school spirit is nothing if not resilient, and our community has risen to the challenge – finding and creating new ways to stay connected and engaged while sheltering safely and educating at home. Here are some of the incredible things our schools, faculty and students are doing: Brentwood College has been live streaming workouts, and giving academic lessons using green screen technology, while their acapella group connected virtually from around the world to sing together in perfect harmony. St. George’s School had to cancel their annual fair, but the Parents Association, students and their families came out in organized shifts to show their support and love for the community through beautiful sidewalk chalk artistry. Western Reserve found a special way to honor the Class of 2020 through a time-honored tradition – with a twist.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School created a special Senior Spotlight on their Instagram page to celebrate their graduating class.
 
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⁣⁣ ⁣⁣SENIOR SPOTLIGHT – SAGE WILLIAMS
⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣How long have you been at CRMS ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣3 years⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣What will you miss most about CRMS? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣I will miss the tight-knit community at CRMS the most. Everyone is supportive and looking out for each other.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣Was there a CRMS teacher that had a significant impact on your life? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣Lynn has been my art teacher for three years; she’s the best. AO has also been a highlight of my senior year. I really enjoyed his class. And of course Jim Gaw. He has been so supportive of me the past 3 years at CRMS. I’ve really enjoyed spending lots of trips and an interim with him. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣What are your plans for senior project?⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣I am planning on doing an in-depth study of law through interviews of lawyers throughout the valley. I will also be watching some of Anne Norrdin’s court cases remotely! ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣What are your plans after graduation?⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣I am planning on attending the University of Denver. I’m hoping to join the figure skating team and major in Criminology. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣#boardingschool #boardingschoollife #readyformore #SeniorSpotlight #crmsclassof2020

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Trinity College School is connecting like never before with newly enrolled families from around the world.
 
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We will start this week off with two new student introduction given all of the exciting reach outs and engagement initiatives going on with our new families this week. As we have shifted to our world online, it’s actually allowing us to connect more frequently and in more personally then we normally do in the spring with our newly enrolled families. This past weekend, I enjoyed a great chat with Sienna ‘24 and her parents from Bermuda. Sienna is excited to be following in her uncle’s footsteps and continuing the family legacy. . . This week, our new families will hear from their student buddy, our global ambassadors as well as their housemaster. Some of the new students are even going to attend a Grade 5 breakfast or pop in on a house meeting with the current students. #newstudentmonday #community #welcometotcs #tcsprops #trinitycollegeschool #tcsbears #newstudents #tcssaidyes #boardingisbetter #independentschool #boardingschool

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The Peddie School’s very own Madame Letourneau hosted a virtual crepe-making class for students.
 
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Madame Letourneau brought French cuisine to life, hosting a live crêpe-making class online!

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Miss Hall’s School didn’t let quarantine dampen their Spirit Week – they found clever ways to get the students, alumnae, faculty and staff to participate in team activities to earn points.
We are so proud of the way our community has adapted and embraced this unique time. We’d love to hear from more of you! What creative things have you or your school done to make the most of remote learning? Share your stories with us at questions@tabs.org.