Parrott Academy Coronavirus Update
From Dr. Bert Bright, Headmaster, Arendell Parrott Academy
It’s safe to say that last week was likely one of the most impactful and challenging weeks of our lives. Our hearts truly ache for all APA students, especially our seniors. In the same breath, we are increasingly excited about the possibilities ahead for a new style of learning – for our students, for our faculty, for our administration and for our school.
Factors beyond our control forced us to change our school schedules and it appears the same factor could affect us for some time, but we refuse to let the virus define our school year or our lives! APA students and faculty are accustomed to challenges and we will attack this one the same way we respond to all challenges at Parrott Academy; with innovation, creativity and lots of hard work.
This event has already sparked exciting innovation and unleashed lots of creativity among our faculty and students. Our teachers are excited to try new ways of connecting and challenging your children. The coming weeks will stretch and expand all of us as learners, showing us that the older generation can try new and challenging things, too …. and we can be transparent about our vulnerability along the way.
This national pandemic serves to re-emphasize the true value of being a member of the Parrott Academy family: we care deeply about our students and all members of our family and we are striving as educators to demonstrate many of the traits we attempt to mold in our students. In the coming weeks, our students will take a greater level of ownership in their learning and will grow in their independence and self-confidence.
As this unprecedented worldwide crisis unfolds, our students will play a critically important role in the health of those around them. “Flatten the curve” will be a fixture phrase until this crisis is over, and it’s vitally important that we all do our part now to ensure everyone’s safety.
In keeping with state and national recommendations our campus will be closed, but the learning process and our APA family relationships will continue. We realize the new mode of instruction requires more screen time for our students. At the same time, we recognize that time away from screens is fundamental to our well-being, so we expect our students to maintain a healthy balance. Our faculty will also have more screen time than in the past, so I ask that you please respect their privacy in the evenings and on weekends. Feel free to communicate with them, but please do so before 5 pm on weekdays.
Challenges create opportunity for growth. We have an opportunity to emerge from this experience with stronger students, a more creative and prepared faculty and a better school. We will continue to communicate as needed about upcoming events and schedules. Once again, I thank you for your support as we transition to a new reality. Please stay safe!
