just some of the enhancements . Paul VI High School Our Lady of Good Counsel School Being a small school is an advantage in this Katy Stewart , director of admissions Denise Costic , administrative assistant and situation . “ As a small school , we are able to adapt Students at Paul VI ( PVI ) are returning to in - advancement coordinator as needed to meet the changing situation and to erson , full - day sessions , Monday through Friday . p When the pandemic first hit in March , OLGC was minimize disruption for students , ” she says . “ Clear Students did have the option to choose remote one of the few schools able to continue live and regular communication with our community learning with the ability to stream classes live via learning in a remote environment immediately . is critical for maintaining trust and ensuring the Zoom . New microphones and new video cameras Costic says this instills confidence in parents who smoothest experience for all involved . We have were installed in each classroom , ensuring the can trust their children will receive the same provided a wide range of feedback outlets to stu - students at home receive the full experience . To quality of education if a sudden change happens dents , faculty , staff , parents and guardians , including make in - person learning possible , Stewart says again . Currently , students may attend five days a periodic surveys , community forums , virtual the baseline protocols for masks , distancing and week in person , hybrid or all remote . The limited listening sessions , virtual office hours and more . ” screening are being followed , and further equipment class size eliminated any need for physical barriers Faculty and staff are re - energized by being in the as been added , including walk - through , zero - h between students in the classrooms , while main - community with one another again , and students contact body temperature detection stations at taining the 6 - feet distance . Costic reports that the are thrilled to be back and reconnecting . “ Every the student entrances . As a Catholic school , the beginning of the school year has been going well day feels like a win and another opportunity for opening of school is always celebrated with Mass and everyone is settling into a routine , including students and teachers to solidify relationships in the auditorium , says Stewart . However , this the twice daily temperature screenings , mask and build a strong foundation for the school year was different . “ This year , Mass was set up on wearing and distancing in hallways . year , ” de la Torre says . the football field , and said on each class level’s Familiar activities like student council election , orientation day — fewer people , farther apart , with morning announcements , the student ambassador plenty of air circulating ! ” she says . program and the fun walk for technology have all Holy Cross Preparatory Academy Not only has the vision of the school’s continued . “ I credit all of this to the extensive Alice Penza , principal leadership been an advantage in making this year back - to - school plan that was prepared by admin - Holy Cross ’ large facility allows room for social possible , but so has the entire community . “ I also istration and the training that the staff received distancing with the student population , enabling think it’s fair to say that since families actively prior to the start of school , ” says Costic . “ As it to offer the full - day , full - week in - person option , choose our school , their mindset is that of part - always , when presented with a challenge , our along with livestreaming , to families . To ensure a nership , which is very helpful , ” Stewart says . “ The school community rises to that challenge , prevails continuity of education , students at home are at - cooperation and appreciation levels within the and exceeds expectations . ” tending class in real time , and all curriculum school community have been tremendous . … remains intact , says Penza . Additionally , the school And most importantly , the students seem incredibly increased its guidance department to better help Center For Education happy to be back — you can still tell they’re smiling , Heather Greenberg , director students in this unprecedented time . even with the masks . We’ve all learned to cherish Following proper protocols , many sports , The Center for Education has been back for in - the little things , and that’s a practice we’ll keep clubs and other activities are able to continue as person instruction since its summer session in long after the masks are gone ! ” well , she says . “ Prom and graduation were held in July . “ In April we began to strategize to return to person in August following state guidelines . Ori - an environment that was as safe as possible , ” entation , Frosh Social and yearbook pictures are says Greenberg . “ We immediately spoke to experts St . Joseph’s Preparatory School taking place as usual . Masses will resume at the Bill Avington , director of communications in their fields about best practices and put a plan end of the month , splitting the classes to allow for St . Joseph’s Prep is operating under a hybrid into effect that included the purchasing of the social distancing and to follow indoor gathering schedule with students alternating between two central air filtration ( installed in June ) and plexiglass . rules , ” says Penza . “ Students and staff have done days a week in person and three remote ( Wednes - Our instruction is always one - to - one . Therefore , an excellent job acclimating to all the new protocols . days are virtual for all students and teachers to class size is more easily controlled . As a private Even through all the technology issues and adapting allow for a thorough cleaning of the campus ) . school , we can make decisions immediately and to COVID protocol , we have worked together and Families were also given the option for full remote expedite purchases . ” have been supportive of one another academically learning . Avington says classrooms are at half ca - Desks and computers are wiped down between and emotionally more than ever before . ” pacity with desks set 6 feet apart . Hallways and classes and the school is cleaned at the end of stairwells are one - way , and in the dining hall , each day . Temperatures are checked for all students students sit at individual desks rather than large and staff upon arrival and hands washed before Kellman Brown Academy tables . Avington says there is no doubt that class , and masks are mandatory . “ Our instructional Rachel Zivic , head of school students are being pushed to their full potential methods have not changed . However , the summer Kellman Brown Academy has students returning even under these circumstances . “ Our faculty gave the students and the parents an opportunity for full in - person or full - remote education . Zivic continue to challenge our students in the classroom , to see the practices and the modifications made says two things helped make this possible . “ We a fact that we heard clearly from our parents and to make for a safer environment . The students , are blessed to have an excellent student - to - students from last spring . It was clear that our themselves , were not fazed by the changes , ” teacher ratio , so we were able to maintain small students were challenged but also cared for by Greenberg continues . “ The silver lining [ is ] … the classes and keep cohorts together . Additionally , our faculty . … We have also continued to offer our students have a better appreciation of school . our school was highly successful with our remote spiritual retreats and service opportunities , which They were very happy to come back , but not as learning program last spring , so we were able to have been modified to ensure proper protocols happy as the staff was to have them back . use that experience and our robust technology are followed , ” he says . to prepare for all types of scenarios this year , ” she says . The Jesuit school’s Mass of the Holy Spirit is a Moorestown Friends School The school took extra steps to make families tradition that dates back to the 1540s . Avington Julia de la Torre , head of school says each grade held its own Mass to ensure the feel comfortable about sending their children All families at MFS could choose between the at - proper capacity limit inside the church , and seniors home or at - school model . Students in preschool back , including updating the HVAC system with whose class ring ceremony was postponed in the through grade six who are in school attend full additional LED in - duct air purifiers . Families and spring , received them at the beginning of this year . days , five days a week , while grades seven through faculty all signed a Community Responsibility & “ We have received positive feedback from parents 12 are in a hybrid mode . To ensure a collective Commitment agreement to uphold guidelines , who are grateful that the school has gone to sense of health and safety , de la Torre highlights and students are screened daily upon entry . tremendous lengths to provide an in - person learning touchless hand sanitizer dispensers in every class - Although this year looks different , Zivic says , “ We experience while also doing our best to ensure room and key entry points , handwashing stations are able to maintain our culture of joy , warmth their safety while on campus , ” Avington says . and clear plexiglass shields on student desks as and appreciation because of the tremendously SUBURBANFAMILYMAG.COM volume 11 issue 7 SUBURBAN FAMILY 15