High School returns to APA campus
Parrott Head of School Brooks Sutton talks with history student Andrew Daniels as APA’s upper school resumes on-campus learning. Submitted photo.
On Monday, over 200 high school students returned to Parrott Academy classrooms for in-person instruction. This brought a full student body back to the independent school’s campus, as lower and middle school students returned the previous week.
The normal hugs, high-fives, and hallway huddles that would be part of the first day back at school were absent. Numerous students said it was hard to keep socially distant from friends they hadn’t seen in a long time. But most agreed with Killen Harper, “It’s great to be in a structured school environment again.” Classmate Katelyn Corbett added, “Some other schools aren’t fortunate enough to have their whole student body all together at school like us.”
APA Spanish teacher Meda Piner emails an assignment to an absent student as upper school students relax on the tented plaza during lunch.
Staff and students wore masks in classrooms and when moving through hallways, in addition to other health protocols. Rearranged classrooms allow for social distancing, and outdoor eating areas have been expanded.
Junior Claire Perry of Kinston observed, “I’ve had my temperature checked four times so far today.” Faculty members like high school Spanish teacher Meda Piner have been training and reviewing new health procedures for several weeks. Watching students spread out to eat lunch under a newly tented outdoor plaza, Piner said day one went smoothly.
Head of Parrott’s Upper School Robert Kravitz agreed, “There are a lot of adjustments everyone’s getting used to, but we’re very excited to see all our kids on campus. As in years past, we’ll work together to create an environment of educational excellence.”
APA’s campus has been updated with signs reminding students to socialize safely.
