Teachers immediately got to work on a Virtual Learning Protocol. While teaching remotely has presented challenges, we are grateful to teachers,
like math teacher Jean Antonelli Hon. '19, for doing everything they can to ensure our students remain connected.
Here's what some of our science teachers had to say after the first day of virtual learning:
"Two students had older brothers give a cameo in the background that added to the entertaining nature of the meeting, and one was in uniform!" - Mr. Jerry DeCarlo
"Yes, the lads got a huge kick out of this. They were like, "Want me to go get my dog?" Since I have been "feeling the loss," it was great for my own spirits to see the lads again today." - Mr. Guy Savastano
"With the different rooms, clothes they were wearing, and video bombs from pets and siblings, it was cool to see the different personalities you don't see at school." - Mr. Scott Hawkins
Cura personalis was practiced community-wide. Immediately, conversations started about how to best support our students and families during these difficult and uncertain times. Our school counselors began sharing helpful tips via email and on their Twitter account, our campus ministers worked to ensure the Daily Examen could be available for our community, and our Jesuit community committed to broadcasting private weekday and Sunday Masses while public Masses are suspended.
St. Patrick's Day celebrations looked different than usual – but carried on. In the midst of a pandemic, families celebrated in different ways. Theology teacher Jim Brennan '85 played the bagpipes for his mom, Lee, who is in a nursing home. The Walsh Family (Marty '89 & Mary, Ryan '20, Liam '22, Seamus '24) maintained physical distance while bringing cheer by visiting homes of family and friends and singing Irish songs outside. Read more about the ways our families adjusted their annual traditions to accommodate these new times.
Our community came together to lift each other up. The Ice Cats came together as a team in the wake of the postponement of the OHSAA State Hockey Tournament and it caught the attention of SportsCenter. Across the globe, individuals and families prayed the Luminous mysteries of the Rosary together at the same time on Thursday. Jim Brennan '85 and Danny Brennan '19 virtually led our community in prayer from their living room through Facebook LIVE. And nothing could stop our adult leaders of the Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Ministry to the Homeless from caring for our friends on the streets as they carried out Labre No. 900. The story of this unique Labre, and other ways that our community found ways to serve, were shared on Thursday afternoon during a virtual Christian Action Team meeting with almost 40 attendees.
The times we are experiencing are both trying and unique. Fortunately, the reassuring message that We are all in this together keeps emerging. As a Saint Ignatius family, we will continue to invite your participation in the virtual offerings we will make available online through social media and the SIBN. Furthermore, we will continue to tell stories of how our students, teachers, staff, coaches, and alumni are persevering and living out the mission of our school. Stay tuned.
A.M.D.G.