Academics

We shook off the Winter Blues with some great learning! Another productive term, and we’re ready for Spring! What should we expect?

While every member of the community has felt the strain of this past year’s challenges in numerous ways, there has been much success to celebrate and good moments to enjoy. Our school was able to offer in-person learning after our January return and quarantine – with the exception of a completely pleasant snow day. For the past two months, students have been able to attend classes in-person, participate in sports and/or the arts, and there were some delightful events outside the classroom.

What will the spring term look like?

We expect to see more students on campus with many students coming to school for the first time this year or for the first time since the fall term. We can’t wait to see some old faces once again!

With regards to any changes in policy, we have no official alterations at this moment in time. Yet, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful that spring will bring with it a return to normal and not an establishment of a new normal. The end of a school year means so much for our high school students, from our third form students who will have quite possibly just completed the most transformative year of their lives, to our sixth form students who are preparing for the biggest farewell of their lives as they take a huge leap forward into the future. This is a time of reflection and joy and I look forward to every minute of it!

Below are further details - Updated 3/9

Schedule

Any schedule changes?

The term starts on Monday, March 22 with in-person learning offered from the very first day. (Quarantine is already underway for certain students during spring break.)
The last day of classes for sixth form students is Wednesday, May 26. They will be on campus until Commencement on Sunday, May 30.
The last day of classes for all other forms is Thursday, May 27. The term calendar will be emailed to students and parents the week of March 15.
We will use the same Daily Schedule that we have used throughout the year during in-person learning – Daily Calendar.

Teaching and Learning

Students are in the classroom while taking precautions for health.
Desks are arranged six feet apart. Students are able to move about the classroom, but they have to remain six feet apart if they are stationary for an extended period of time (fifteen minutes or more).
We are utilizing the largest classrooms for the classes with the most students. (We also have creative new “classrooms” as well!)
The need for six foot spacing will limit the amount of students who can fit in a classroom at any given time. A student may need to attend a class virtually even if he or she is on campus. Boarders can do so from their rooms while day students will be given work spaces. The need to attend virtually will be minimal or nonexistent for certain classes due to small sections or large classroom spaces. Unfortunately, we cannot make it so that all classes can avoid this circumstance altogether. Teachers will set up a rotation given their specific classroom space and roster size.

Academic Support

Distance Learning

We recognize that some students may need to continue with distance learning for the remainder of the year. We continue to support them through their choice of whatever mixture of online attendance and asynchronous viewing of recorded classes works best for them. Those options are also available for students who miss class for illness, quarantine or isolation.
In the event that health concerns force us to cease in-person classes for a period of time, the faculty will be prepared to shift towards all-distance learning.
If you are distance learning, students may not come to campus at any time.

Contact Information:

Mr. Nick Micheletti ’04, Assistant Headmaster for Academics

nmicheletti@portsmouthabbey.org

(401) 634-1251

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