High schools adapt to distance learning

Mount Carmel Academy principal Beth Ann Simno said she tries to reach out every day to “her girls” by text or email. Teachers are recording lessons on Zoom for students to watch when they can during the day, being mindful that some students might be home helping with younger siblings while their parents work from home.
 

In the senior religion class, students were asked to create a special place of peace at their home where they could connect daily to God and keep in touch with their MCA sisters. Teachers said it was a “mindfulness routine to help keep them centered” during this stressful time.
 

In keeping with regular faith activities at Mount Carmel, its weekly rosary continues on Tuesdays, but at 4 p.m. in Instagram; and weekly Friday Way of the Cross is also on Instagram.
 

While no decision has been made on graduation 2020, Simno and Sister Camille Anne Campbell promised seniors that “you we will have those important events and traditions at some time,” knowing how important school traditions such as the passing of colors, induction into the school’s alumni association are in their lives.
 

The two educators experienced school closures before – during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – and said, both times, it showed us how unaccustomed we are to not having what we need.
 

“In Katrina we had no place to go,” Sister Camille Anne said. “With the coronavirus, we can’t go anyplace.”
 

But today, the improvements in social media and electronic communication has made remote learning of teachers to students and faculty to each other and the administration a lot easier. Simno said MCA’s advancements into 21 ^st Century learning began six years ago when she became principal. Students had their own computers, and teachers learned to use technology in the classroom for much more than searching.  So, the current transition was not that difficult, she said.
 

“We were in such a good spot for teaching off-site because the tools we were using were there,” Simno said. Students are completing the same lessons they would have done in school.
 

“They truly are in school. They are doing assignments … having Design Cycle experiences,” she said as an example. “It’s going really well. Parents are very happy with the experience and seeing that they are continuing to learn at home."

​​​​​​​ Learning ‘off the Bayou’ at Cabrini
 

Cabrini High School teachers Kasey Laird Dennies and science teacher Ann Smart shared their thoughts on remote learning.
 

“Although this process has been strenuous on all of us, there have been some great things that have come from this difficult time,” Dennies said. “As a teacher and alumna of Cabrini, this experience has made me fall in love with Cabrini all over again. The faculty, staff and administration have been so supportive, not only of our virtual learning but also our mental and physical well-being.
 

“Our students have blown me away! They have taken their learning in to their own hands and run with it! They have been so engaged and on top of their assignments. … So, while this has been a very trying and difficult time for all, it has rejuvenated my love for Cabrini, the faculty, staff, administration and students.”
 

Smart said online teaching is not something she would relish every day because she enjoys her interaction with students. But through the “Chalkable” portal and email, she has been able to stay in touch and help students stay on track.
 

“But, there is nothing like a real hands-on lab activity,” she said. For physics labs, she’s using "phet" simulations for the students to access. If they get access, she is giving them data to analyze.
Smart is relying on “Educreations” to record "lectures" with photos for explanations, using “Quizzis” for book work and their textbooks to read. She said she can record how to solve physics problems step-by-step on the white board.
 

“The student response has been very positive, and they ask for me to post them even before I am ready,” she said. “We all cannot wait to be back together again in person!

​​​​​​​ Dominican adapts remotely
 

St. Mary's Dominican High School has joined other high schools that transitioned to home-distance learning, using a wealth of creativity and innovation in this new educational setting.
 

Dominican’s school day starts with a student preacher leading in daily prayer. This prayer is posted on the school’s website's home page along with updates: https://www.stmarysdominican.org/
 

Teachers share on the Dominican Teams platform how they begin a class: A letter from St. John Paul II to the director of the Vatican Observatory is a favorite of Matt Foss, science department chair and physics teacher. He divided the letter into 10 parts and reads a section as the prayer.
 

Aline Delgado begins every religion class with the Gospel reading of the day. Often there is a prayer that ties into the topic of the day.

​​​​​​​ Ursuline keeps distance close
 

“We are educating and adapting,” said Kelan Griffin, Ursuline Academy IT director, about the academy’s distance-learning efforts for grades Toddler 1 to 12 during the COVID-19 state mandated school closure.
 

“It’s all about the teachers. They are the ones doing it,” Griffin said. Once the coronavirus became prevalent statewide, Ursuline Academy faculty brainstormed. With Google Classroom in place academy-wide, teachers just needed to add Google Hangouts for live video instruction.
           

It was eased by Ursuline’s transition to provide a 1:1 device environment for every student. Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, 5 ^th-12 ^th grade became 1:1, with kindergarten through fourth grade being added a few years later.
 

Younger students’ online instruction consists of pre-recorded videos, assignments and resources posted to Google Classroom. Show and tells from teachers, administration and staff provide a chance for students to engage while guest videos give additional learning opportunities such as story time and virtual field trips.

 

Lower through high school students receive video instruction through Google Hangouts, with feedback given on classwork and art projects. They are able to view instructional videos, break into small groups, and check-in with teachers during office hours for additional support.
 

Student council executive board meetings, a Google Hangouts rosary with students and staff, private piano lessons and administrative and board meetings also have been online.
 

In addition, school counselors are reaching out to students and families with support tips. And in high school, students are able to virtually meet with the campus minister and dean of students to address issues and answer questions. Daily announcements, prayer and a growth mindset curriculum for high school offer a sense of community while supporting the individual student.
           

“We continue to remain fluid and adapt,” Griffin said. “My job has been to troubleshoot the best I can remotely. The teachers are making it happen.”

A sixth-grade parent wrote about her daughter, “Due to the efforts and technology at UA, she wakes up each morning with a purpose and is able to learn and socialize remotely. It gives us great comfort.”

​​​​​​​ Academy of Our Lady embarks on distance learning
 

March 23 marked the start of the Academy of Our Lady (AOL) faculty and students’ second week of distance learning. In true Salesian family spirit, the AOL family is taking this new experience in stride and continuing with daily coursework while sporting a smile.
 

Senior Julia Mai of Marrero participated in class remotely via Zoom while wearing her senior countdown number. Traditionally, AOL seniors wear the countdown numbers in celebration signifying their final days of high school.
 

Senior Cambre Vegas of Marrero also adapted to this new way of distance learning by working at her kitchen table!