CAMPUS LENS
TAFT LIFE During COVID-19 7
As we worked to finalize this issue of the Bulletin, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Taft responded quickly by planning
AROUND CAMPUS
and transitioning to a remote teaching and learning model. The majority of this issue reports on school news from the first half of the spring semester, a time when Taft faculty and students still filled the school’s halls and classrooms. The following four pages tell the story of Taft—its academics, campus, community, and Non ut sibi spirit—during the earliest days of remote learning.
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Academic Life 1
1 For Mathematics Teacher Steve
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McCabe, remote learning looks a lot like classroom learning: detailed whiteboard work, high energy, great enthusiasm.
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2 Taft’s department heads Zoomed in on strategic planning, practical
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programming, and innovative instruction before launching our remote teaching and learning model.
3 Accelerated Biology students would
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typically collect specimens and prepare sketches to use in a dichotomous key activity. To accommodate quarantines
1 From the Headmaster: “The
and differing geographical biomes, Science Department Chair Shannon
Main Hall at Taft is sacred real
Guidotti collected and photographed
estate. It’s where so much
samples for students instead.
connection occurs. It’s the architectural backbone of our
4 Academic life goes on, and Tafties
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like now. We are reminded
earned a spot among the highest
in this image—in this time of
scorers in the annual New England
loss—of how blessed we are
Mathematics League competition.
to live, teach, and learn at this
As a team, Taft finished fifth among
school. I can’t wait until the day
the 150 competing schools and ahead of peer schools, including Hotchkiss, Deerfield, and St. Paul’s.
5 Remote acting class with Helena Fifer: pups welcome.
6 Office hours are as important as ever and happen just as often (Spanish Teacher Baba Frew).
7 The first week of remote art instruction produced stunning collaged color wheels from the Introduction to
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community. Here’s what it looks
continue to excel. Ben Le ’21 recently
Drawing and Design classes.
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we are back, the bell ringing and teachers and students heading off to class! It will happen, and that will be a happy day.”
2 Associate Dean of Students Lindsay Leal captured April’s Super Pink Moon over Taft’s turf field.
3 Now more than ever, perspective matters—keep looking up, Rhinos.
4 A sign of the times.