THUNDER ADAPTS TO CHALLENGING TIMES

Thunder Adapts in Challenging Times

James Swiger and Jennifer Green

On March 13, 2020, what feels like a lifetime ago, The Pegasus School transformed from a thriving campus with the sounds of children and learning reverberating through its halls to what it has evolved into today: a unique form of hybrid learning that only Pegasus can deliver. In true Pegasus fashion, within a relatively short amount of time, we have creatively combated this pandemic like we always do in the face of adversity—we find ways to move forward. And along the way, we’ve learned a thing or two.

There has certainly been tremendous change since March 13, and one important lesson we’ve learned is the power of our commitment to our families. In fact, our focus from the start was to maintain and strengthen the bonds of our community. From reinventing events like a virtual Open House to finding ways to bring families on campus through our Family Days during Pegasus Prep, our foundation rests on our resiliency as a community and our joint belief in our mission.

“Adversity brings opportunity,” says Chrissy Bridges, parent and activities and athletic director at Pegasus. As she explained, “right now we have, ‘lost and found.’” While the pandemic may have forced us to lose much of our old way of doing things, we certainly have found a myriad of new opportunities. Pegasus is reinventing traditions as it evolves. For example, our middle school students may not have been able to volunteer their time and energy this year at the Orange County Food Bank for our Run.Give.Serve. event, but we certainly kept the spirit alive through Operation Warm Wishes, where middle school students helped create backpacks of school supplies for distance learners in need in Orange County. In addition, our middle school students were able to attend school dressed up for Halloween for the first time, and all of our students, both distance and on-campus, were able to participate in escape rooms, costume contests, and virtual events.

Our students see the difference. Eighth grader, Alisa C., shared that during our virtual community gatherings held outside in the new Science and Technology quad, students sing and clap from their classrooms as if they were there together in person. And while our students miss being able to socialize and gather in large groups, some students are seeing silver linings. For example, seventh grader, Vivi T., says that this cohort model has created an environment that turns cohorts into tightly knit families. As a new student joining Pegasus this year, she appreciates how this has eased her transition and allowed her to make new friends relatively quickly. Distance learner and eighth grader, Baominh D., shared how his cohort family looks after him and each other. And fourth-grade distance learner Ava G., shared “Pegasus brings me comfort,” when asked about what she is grateful for this year. Our students remain at the heart of our school.

Another lesson we’ve learned along the way has been our ability to extend our reach and find new ways to connect our community in creative ways, but it hasn’t been easy. Corinne Yeager, technology coach, shares her thoughts about the steep learning curve and adaptability of our teachers. “Our teacher’s resilience is often unseen, unglamorous, and uncelebrated. But the way they have delivered this high quality level of instruction during the pandemic has been truly heroic.”

Kristen Diehl, instructional coach, also adds that teaching teams currently face challenges and decisions daily in

The nature of this year has required some teachers to add content, while others to scale back and these decisions are leading to some amazing growth and change.

designing curriculum that best meets – Kristen Diehl, Instructional Coach find that Pegasus is much more than the needs of our students. “This moment, an on-campus or online school; we are this crisis, has asked us to really dive deep a community that can adapt and evolve. into carefully considering the content we wish to What we know for sure is that Pegasus is thriving teach, the accessibility of that content for all students (whether in spite of the challenges we have faced this year. Through the at home or on-campus), and what is most important and in lens of our mission, we have developed new and creative ways line with the values and mission of Pegasus. The nature of this of crafting and delivering curriculum that still holds true to our year has required some teachers to add content, while others commitment to what it means to be Pegasus. to scale back and these decisions are leading to some amazing growth and change. Some of that change will be temporary James Swiger is the Middle School Director at The Pegasus School while other changes will be long-lasting,” Diehl said. A great and proud parent of Stephen (‘09), Lauren (‘12), and Sofia (‘28). example of this is the fourth-grade expert fair. What is typically a fair-style community event, with student experts practicing He is always willing to stop what he’s doing to talk about ancient history, and he enjoys connecting with people over a good meal. Contact: jswiger@thepegasusschool.orgtheir extemporaneous speaking skills on everything from Legos to the Seven Wonders of the World, transitioned to a successful Jen Green is the Lower School School Director at The Pegasus TEDTalk or PEGTalk style presentation. School and proud parent of Maya (‘24), and Makena. She is

Since March, we’ve had to lean on the strength of the always on the run chasing kids, puppies, and happiness. community in our efforts to move forward. In doing so, we Contact: jgreen@thepegasusschool.org