COVER STORY

1

COVER STORY

182 days after leaving the building in March 2020 due to the global pandemic, Kellenberg Memorial students began returning to campus in-person on September 8th for the 2020-2021 academic year. Although the school days look and feel quite different this year than in the past, Firebirds and their families are thrilled to be able to return to some semblance of a normal routine.

Staff and administrators worked tirelessly through the spring and summer months to develop a flexible reopening plan that would accommodate the desires of all students and their families. In that spirit, Kellenberg Memorial offers three models of instruction for students to choose from: full-time in-person, hybrid, or fully remote. Over 90% of Firebirds chose to attend school full-time, in-person, including Michelle Cuocci ’22 who says, “Although it’s tough compared to this time last year, I feel going to school full-time was still better than the alternative of being home five days a week. For me, I am able to concentrate and learn better with a live, in-person environment. Also, I believe in these stressful times it helps to see familiar faces. I am trying to make the best of a difficult situation, and the option of going to school was a big help.”

1. Ethan Abrahams ’27 and the other members of Mrs. Diane Page’s cohort spend their time wisely in class. 2. Kayleigh Murray ’24, Thomas Jack ’24, and their fellow freshmen classmates listen attentively during Triple A. 3. Catherine Saporito ’24 and Marvin Suber ’24 complete an Earth Science soil texture analysis lab in the hybrid learning environment. Remote students and in-person learners assemble as the “lab partners” as these two students go through each step of measuring the amount of sand, silt, and clay from each local soil sample. 4. On a beautiful fall afternoon, Kaitlin McNamee ’24 and Grace Lamoreaux ’24 enjoy lunch outside, six feet apart.

COVER STORY

A multitude of health and safety measures have been put in place to protect students, faculty, and staff. Any person entering the building must complete a health screening in conjunction with CDC and New York Department of Health guidelines on a daily basis, including having his/ her temperature checked by state-of-the-art thermal imaging systems. Modifications to the school schedule, including staggered arrival and departure times, assure that large numbers of students do not congregate by the entrances to the school. Each and every inch of available space within the building, including the auditorium, gymnasium, Millennium Room, and cafeteria, has been converted to learning areas with hand sanitizing stations available throughout. A cohort system with proper social distancing is in place ensuring that classes remain as selfcontained as possible. Should anyone in a particular cohort become ill or be exposed to COVID-19, contact tracing and subsequent remote learning is implemented if necessary for the affected cohort only, rather than a larger part of the school population. Teachers move from classroom to classroom and remain socially distant from students to further isolate and protect all cohorts. All rooms are cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis using a hospital grade disinfectant and industrial UV lights. Mask-wearing protocols are in place, with “mask breaks” provided throughout the day in accordance with social distancing guidelines. In addition, faculty members prioritize students’ mental well-being by bringing classes outdoors for lessons, faithbuilding activities, or general free time whenever weather permits. Shanik Nunez ’24 reflects on her experience thus far telling Phoenix newspaper’s Hailey Pitcher ’21, “At first, I was nervous that it was so different, but everyone adjusted very quickly. The teachers are great. They’re super friendly and helpful. In a way, the cohorts help us all have a deeper relationship with each other.”

Students who opted to attend school remotely or in hybrid form are benefitting from Kellenberg Memorial’s adept use of technology. All classes are live-streamed so that students working from home do not miss a moment of instruction. Students learning remotely are encouraged to participate in the live class by posting their questions or comments regarding the lesson in a chat with the teacher. Group projects also connect those at home to those in the classroom.

Faculty member Mrs. Mary Beth (Cotty) Farrell ’05 reflects on teaching during these uncertain times, saying, “While this pandemic has certainly changed almost every aspect of our lives, one thing I have always been able to count on is my students rising to the occasion. We are so fortunate here to have students who genuinely care about their academics and overall school experience. For those students coming into the building each day, they are respectful of the new policies, wearing their masks, and accepting the new procedures with a level of grace that most teenagers would not be able to muster. I also give a lot of credit to the students who are learning remotely. It cannot be easy learning at home, knowing your peers are socializing with one another, and still engaging in class with a multitude of distractions around them. Yet, there they are, each day logging into virtual conferences, asking questions, and volunteering in class. The gratitude that our students and their families

1

2

3

1. JV soccer player Ariana Barreiro ’23 doesn’t let wearing a mask hold her back from beating her opponent to the ball. 2. Cadets gather for Adoration with Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02 during WITNESS Day. 3. Mr. Shaun Moran ’04 and his Freshman Firebirds combine fresh air and faith as they take part in a Rosary Walk in Scripture class.

COVER STORY

have for Kellenberg’s education approach during the pandemic is overwhelming.”

Recognizing that a Marianist education of the heart and mind is not imparted exclusively in the classroom, Kellenberg Memorial has remained steadfast in providing the widest array of athletic and co-curricular activities as is safely possible. Fall sports and intramurals were adapted to meet safety requirements, with football hitting the gridiron in 7 on 7 flag football matchups and Latin School athletics shifting to intramural sports. High school soccer, tennis, and cross country teams were thrilled to be able to compete while adhering to mask and other safety protocols. Although not all winter sports teams will be permitted to compete, the sports deemed “low risk,” such as track & field, bowling, and boys swimming and diving, have been given the green light to proceed by the Athletic Director Councils of the Boys and Girls Catholic High School Athletic Leagues.

Since the pandemic began in the spring, Kellenberg has seen great success in keeping Firebirds engaged in co-curriculars by the implementation of virtual “Activity Wednesdays.” All activities and clubs meet virtually on Wednesday afternoons based on a schedule created specifically to minimize conflicts with other school commitments. Students have expressed deep gratitude for these opportunities for camaraderie and invigoration stemming from shared interests among peers. Liam Schroeder ’21 feels fortunate to be back on campus and involved with co-curriculars, saying, “I was so happy when I heard that we would be able to go back to school for in-person learning. I was so glad to be able to see many people I had not seen in several months. I was also able to do some events/clubs, which has been the best part of being back in school. Though this is not how I imagined my senior year, Kellenberg has tried very hard to make the best and safest learning environment possible in the current climate. I know they will continue to improve and adapt to enhance the education of the heart and mind.”

Another critical area of importance which was reimagined this fall was the faith life of the Firebird family. Although all-school Masses are not possible at this time, each cohort is still able to celebrate individual Masses by gathering outside or in a socially-distanced manner in the library. The retreat program resumed in October at Stella Maris, one of Kellenberg’s retreat houses, which is situated on a bucolic stretch of land on Champlin Creek in Islip, NY. Students have been blessed by getting to know two very special alumni, Father James Hansen ’07 and newly ordained Father John Crozier ’11. Both Father John and Father James have been the “guest stars” of the retreats, celebrating Mass and creating fellowship with the students by playing games, sharing a meal, and hanging out around the Stella Maris fire pit. Gianna Tamburrino ’23 reflected on her retreat experience telling Phoenix newspaper’s Mary O’Connor ’21, “During the retreat, I got the chance to learn more about my classmates. I really enjoyed the team-building exercises and games. But, my favorite part of

the day was when I got to play corn hole with Father James and my friends.”

As Kellenberg Memorial looks to the spring and continues to tweak all aspects of the Marianist education to best serve Firebirds during the pandemic, adaptability, compassion, respect, and above all, faith, remain the cornerstones of its reinvented educational approach. The school’s administration remains in close contact with the Nassau County Department of Health, who has complimented the cohort system and Kellenberg’s multi-faceted approach to ensuring a safe and healthy in-person learning environment. With so many uncertainties regarding the future timeline of the pandemic, the school remains vigilant and poised to pivot to its extremely successful remote learning plan, which received rave reviews from parents, if necessary. “The academic and social challenges raised by the pandemic were handled with patience and careful attention to our children’s needs,” says Amy Urban, whose son, Leo, is a seventh-grader in the Latin School. “We cannot express how much we value and appreciate all that

Kellenberg has done to keep our children both actively learning and engaged during this very trying time.

Kellenberg’s preparedness for and flexibility during this unprecedented event are truly impressive.”

Kellenberg Memorial has risen above the many challenges presented by the global pandemic and found a successful formula to make over 2,600 Firebirds feel connected whether they are six feet apart from each other in a classroom, or miles apart joining together in a virtual learning environment. Principal Brother Kenneth Hoagland, S.M. reflects on the success of Kellenberg Memorial’s reinvented education, saying, “I am extraordinarily grateful for the great cooperation of students and parents in following our protocols in order to keep everyone healthy and safe. The creativity and dedication of our teachers has been outstanding, as well as the ingenuity, perseverance, and forward-thinking of the IT staff and administrative staff. We are a stronger school because of the creativity, dedication, and resilience within the Firebird family.”