Private schools tread new ground with reopening
Aug 16
HIGH POINT — In the grand experiment of educating children amid the coronavirus pandemic, local private schools will offer the first front-line perspective about how in-person classroom learning may play out for the new academic year.
The vast majority of students in High Point and Guilford County won’t return to the classroom for the first nine weeks of the 2020-21 academic year. The public education school year starts Monday.
Guilford County Schools leadership decided late last month to start the academic year with remote learning while the school district determines how to return to the classroom. Remote learning has been in effect since mid-March when the pandemic took hold locally.
However, area private schools — for students from kindergarten through high school — either have started in-person classes or plan to do so this month.
Because they aren’t funded with taxpayer dollars, private schools have autonomy to make decisions on approaches to education that public school districts don’t have. Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a series of emergency orders since March covering all state public schools.
State public health advocates encourage private schools to follow state pandemic orders, said Kelly Connor, communications manager for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services out of Raleigh.
“But they are not required,” Connor told The High Point Enterprise.
Similarly, private schools aren’t covered by pandemic changes to prep sports made by the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Last week the association announced it would postpone the start of fall sports for public schools, including pushing the kickoff of high school football into February.
Leaders with several local private schools told The Enterprise that they have taken steps that they believe will ensure a safe educational classroom setting for students and teachers.
The Piedmont School in High Point became one of the first area schools to resume in-person classroom learning when its academic year began this past Wednesday.
The private school has begun the academic year with K-8 students learning on campus, said Kori Mackall, director of development and communications.
“Our high school students in the John Yowell Academy are beginning this year in a virtual hybrid model,” she said. “So they are off-campus for learning, with specific on-campus times available in limited numbers to receive extra support.”
The safety measures that the Piedmont School has taken include requiring masks for students and educators, taking regular temperature checks, practicing social distancing in classrooms and hallways and setting up an on-campus wellness room.
At Wesleyan Christian Academy, administrators and staff have devoted the summer to making extensive preparations for in-person education. The private school’s 2020-21 academic year starts Tuesday.
Wesleyan Christian Academy has taken a host of measures to counter COVID-19, school administrators say. The school has purchased state-of-the-art sprayers to disinfect classrooms and other parts of the building and lined classrooms and common areas with plexiglass shields.
“Wesleyan’s entire staff and faculty have worked long and hard this summer to make it possible for our students to return to campus,” said Head of School Rod Brown.
Wesleyan Christian Academy has collaborated with federal, state and county public health advocates to develop a comprehensive back-to-school plan, Brown told The Enterprise. The school also will offer a remote learning option for parents of students who want that alternative.
Wesleyan Christian Academy plans to offer organized sports this fall, but will follow the guidance of the private school N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association.
“As we move forward, Wesleyan’s Athletic Department plans will remain fluid to assess and
adapt to any new announcements by the NCISAA or new information from state and local
health officials,” said school Athletic Director Elijah Denton.
Westchester Country Day School plans to hold in-person classroom instruction when its new school year begins Aug. 26.
“Among other steps, our school community will be wearing masks, maintaining six-foot social distances throughout the school day and following regular hand-washing protocols,” said Head of School Cobb Atkinson.
Westchester Country Day School administrators and educators have developed a 24-page back-to-school guide. Atkinson said the private school is incorporating recommendations made this past June by state public health officials in the Strong Schools N.C. Public Health Toolkit for grades K-12.
According to the back-to-school guide, Westchester Country Day School plans organized fall sports for high school varsity and middle school students.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School has taken a variety of measures to prepare for the new school year starting Aug. 31, said new Principal Ryan Schnaith-Ivan.
The school has taken steps based on recommendations from state and federal government public health agencies and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Steps include health screenings, cleaning and handwashing, face coverings, social distancing and protective barriers.
“IHM has small class sizes; so we can be nimble in applying and customizing these safety measures,” the principal said.
The school has added a registered nurse to its staff and has completed additional training for all staff on safety protocols, Schnaith-Ivan said.
School administrators will remain flexible for parents who don’t want their children returning to the classroom yet.
“We are also providing remote learning for any students who opt to stay at home due to health concerns, with recordings and/or livestreamed content from their classes at IHM,” the principal said.
pjohnson@hpenews.com | 336-888-3528 | @HPEpaul
Aug 16
HIGH POINT — In the grand experiment of educating children amid the coronavirus pandemic, local private schools will offer the first front-line perspective about how in-person classroom learning may play out for the new academic year.
The vast majority of students in High Point and Guilford County won’t return to the classroom for the first nine weeks of the 2020-21 academic year. The public education school year starts Monday.
Guilford County Schools leadership decided late last month to start the academic year with remote learning while the school district determines how to return to the classroom. Remote learning has been in effect since mid-March when the pandemic took hold locally.
However, area private schools — for students from kindergarten through high school — either have started in-person classes or plan to do so this month.
Because they aren’t funded with taxpayer dollars, private schools have autonomy to make decisions on approaches to education that public school districts don’t have. Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a series of emergency orders since March covering all state public schools.
State public health advocates encourage private schools to follow state pandemic orders, said Kelly Connor, communications manager for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services out of Raleigh.
“But they are not required,” Connor told The High Point Enterprise.
Similarly, private schools aren’t covered by pandemic changes to prep sports made by the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Last week the association announced it would postpone the start of fall sports for public schools, including pushing the kickoff of high school football into February.
Leaders with several local private schools told The Enterprise that they have taken steps that they believe will ensure a safe educational classroom setting for students and teachers.
The Piedmont School in High Point became one of the first area schools to resume in-person classroom learning when its academic year began this past Wednesday.
The private school has begun the academic year with K-8 students learning on campus, said Kori Mackall, director of development and communications.
“Our high school students in the John Yowell Academy are beginning this year in a virtual hybrid model,” she said. “So they are off-campus for learning, with specific on-campus times available in limited numbers to receive extra support.”
The safety measures that the Piedmont School has taken include requiring masks for students and educators, taking regular temperature checks, practicing social distancing in classrooms and hallways and setting up an on-campus wellness room.
At Wesleyan Christian Academy, administrators and staff have devoted the summer to making extensive preparations for in-person education. The private school’s 2020-21 academic year starts Tuesday.
Wesleyan Christian Academy has taken a host of measures to counter COVID-19, school administrators say. The school has purchased state-of-the-art sprayers to disinfect classrooms and other parts of the building and lined classrooms and common areas with plexiglass shields.
“Wesleyan’s entire staff and faculty have worked long and hard this summer to make it possible for our students to return to campus,” said Head of School Rod Brown.
Wesleyan Christian Academy has collaborated with federal, state and county public health advocates to develop a comprehensive back-to-school plan, Brown told The Enterprise. The school also will offer a remote learning option for parents of students who want that alternative.
Wesleyan Christian Academy plans to offer organized sports this fall, but will follow the guidance of the private school N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association.
“As we move forward, Wesleyan’s Athletic Department plans will remain fluid to assess and
adapt to any new announcements by the NCISAA or new information from state and local
health officials,” said school Athletic Director Elijah Denton.
Westchester Country Day School plans to hold in-person classroom instruction when its new school year begins Aug. 26.
“Among other steps, our school community will be wearing masks, maintaining six-foot social distances throughout the school day and following regular hand-washing protocols,” said Head of School Cobb Atkinson.
Westchester Country Day School administrators and educators have developed a 24-page back-to-school guide. Atkinson said the private school is incorporating recommendations made this past June by state public health officials in the Strong Schools N.C. Public Health Toolkit for grades K-12.
According to the back-to-school guide, Westchester Country Day School plans organized fall sports for high school varsity and middle school students.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School has taken a variety of measures to prepare for the new school year starting Aug. 31, said new Principal Ryan Schnaith-Ivan.
The school has taken steps based on recommendations from state and federal government public health agencies and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Steps include health screenings, cleaning and handwashing, face coverings, social distancing and protective barriers.
“IHM has small class sizes; so we can be nimble in applying and customizing these safety measures,” the principal said.
The school has added a registered nurse to its staff and has completed additional training for all staff on safety protocols, Schnaith-Ivan said.
School administrators will remain flexible for parents who don’t want their children returning to the classroom yet.
“We are also providing remote learning for any students who opt to stay at home due to health concerns, with recordings and/or livestreamed content from their classes at IHM,” the principal said.
pjohnson@hpenews.com | 336-888-3528 | @HPEpaul
