Full-Week Hybrid Learning

Welcome back!

I’ve never had a year in my teaching career anything like what the last couple have been like, but this year has had one recurring theme: welcome back.

Months ago, we welcomed students back to the school for the first time in over a year and a half, and this week we welcomed students back for learning 5 days a week for the first time in almost two years. It’s been such a joy to see so many of our Middle and Senior School students in the hallways laughing, talking and just being kids.

It’s been a blessing to get to run classes in person and ask students questions and answer their questions without the barrier of a computer screen between us.

Some of my favorite memories of late have been simple things like having students physically show me their projects, getting to hear them chat while they work on a mapping assignment, and getting to talk to students in the halls during breaktime. These interactions are some of the things that make school feel real, and—while our students engaged in an incredible amount of active learning during Home Learning— getting to teach them in person is just special.

It’s easy to see, even with masks on, how much they are enjoying being back at school and interacting with their friends and teachers. It's been a wonderful week, and it’s amazing how quickly it is beginning to feel normal, even with all the extra safety measures.

I look forward to many more weeks of full-week hybrid learning and to the day in the future when we can safely get back to truly normal, full-time school. Until then, every one of our teachers is enjoying every moment we get to spend teaching and interacting with your children in person. I pray that God will continue to protect us and your families and that soon our whole school family will be able to meet together fully in person.

Sincerely,

Jon Steely, Senior School Curriculum Coordinator SPH Pluit Village