VIRTUAL U-HIGH

We’ve Got This!

In response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued a stay at home order, which included the closing of K-12 schools state wide on March 15, 2020. In an unprecedented one-day pivot, University Laboratory School students and teachers shifted from classroom instruction to online teaching and learning.

Thanks to generous donations to the ULS Foundation Annual Appeal, ULS was immediately able to loan nearly 90 laptops that had been purchased during the past few years to close the gap for those in need and to ensure every student could continue daily instruction and connection.

Using Google Classroom and their creative talents, faculty quickly discovered new and inventive ways to instruct and, along with students, manage assignments from a distance. Through zoom discussions, google meets and a variety of newly introduced platforms, secondary students and teachers found themselves fast forwarding into new methods of teaching and learning, relying more than ever before on collaboration and interaction with material, information and data.

Newly introduced mathematical concepts were reinforced through projects such as a parabola selfie assignment. Middle school students applied knowledge learned of the U.S. Constitution and researched current news stories in social studies class to create an argument for or against COVID-19 executive orders violating citizen rights. At-home science experiments and projects were carefully recorded and submitted to instructors via video or photographs, and English classes became a safe haven of expression as instructors skillfully wove news of the day into writing assignments and discussions.

The remote daily lessons of elementary students were enhanced by instructors using platforms like Facebook to offer daily story time at Mrs. P’s Remote Library, adventures with Babcock’s Backyard Safari, online fun during Technology Time with Mrs. Dornier and more than a few rowdy jam sessions in Ms. Fowler’s Music Room. Elementary enrichment and P.E. instructors also created weekly virtual bingo boards with lessons and activities in art, music, counseling, physical education and foreign language to ensure students continued their progression not just in the ULS core curriculum, but also in the development of the whole child.

The show must go on! Cubs Have Talent and an end-of-year art show are two annual spring semester events that showcase student talent and artistic skills honed all year through ULS’s robust arts programs. Secondary Choral Director Dana Lux and Art Instructors Nancy Von Brock, Elizabeth Mackey and Therese Knowles transformed both into virtual experiences, providing an opportunity for even more in the Cub community to enjoy student creativity. Likewise, Band Director Annette West made sure fifth grade band students did not miss out on their first opportunity for an instrumental performance with an assignment of each student hosting and documenting a concert for “anyone or anything” willing to listen. Audiences ranged from stuffed animals and actual pets to siblings, parents and even grandparents.

Technology was also a key component for athletic teams and groups this spring as members were able to continue to meet with coaches and sponsors online to share moral support, to progress and to finish the year strong. The Cub Huddle news brief was born and shared daily We’ve Got This “wins” and regular inspiration to keep the entirety of the Cub family moving forward as a cohesive group to meet new challenges in unexpected times.

ULS counselors Lauren Eglin, Angela Murray and Kristy Gremillion shared their expertise and guidance with the Cub community in the school’s weekly Lab Notes, and also with counselors, schools and educators throughout Louisiana in the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education Best Practices enewsletter. The trio collaborated with CHSE professors to create a series of articles featuring tips on maintaining structure, organizational and study skills, mental health and more to assist parents and students while quarantined.

And through social media and social distancing, the Cub community still found ways to safely be present for and support one another from March to May of 2020.

Athletes of spring sports whose seasons were cancelled were the focus of an online tribute, the Spring Sports Spotlight, and senior spring athletes were honored with a Be the Light Parade. The ULS Foundation celebrated the Class of 2020 with donated digital billboards and full-page ads in The Advocate and Baton Rouge Business Report, generously donated by the McCollister family. The celebration continued with a virtual Baby Picture Gallery, a Graduation Parade, a social media week and an online Graduation Media Presentation. Instructors of all grade levels joined forces with Technology Instructor Jennifer Bevill to create a video to inspire and motivate students and parents as they entered the final stretch of virtual teaching and learning after spring break. In turn, students and families shared their support of teachers through this year’s reimagined Teacher Appreciation Week.

While no one truly knows what next school year will look like, one thing we do know for sure - We’ve got this Cubs!