SALISBURY — Remote learning and social distancing were the hallmarks of the final weeks and moments of the Class of 2020 graduates of Sacred Heart School.
“Stay at home” orders and COVID-19 pandemic guidelines prevented students and educators from finishing the school year on campus. But that didn’t stop them from an academically fruitful, fun finish to the school year.
In the closing weeks of the academic calendar, Sacred Heart teachers embraced a virtual learning platform, teaching new standards in the five core classes, art and physical education. They used a virtual classroom platform provided by FACTS to have an actual classroom for students.
Teachers also used blog posts to share information on new topics. Teachers used YouTube, Vimeo and Zoom to make videos and connect with students.
To close out the school year, Sacred Heart School held Virtual Academic Awards, Virtual Athletic Awards, and a National Field Day (at home). Students participated in six events for the field day at home, keeping points, to determine which homeroom won the Field Day Champs.
On May 22, an outdoor graduation Mass was offered for eighth-grade graduates and their families, following state directives on social distancing.
On the school’s Facebook page, it read, “Friday, May 22nd was a wonderful day at Sacred Heart! After all the emotional ups and downs of remote and virtual learning, ‘shelter at home,’ and their worlds being turned upside down...we were able to honor our 8th grade students with a beautiful Graduation Mass and Program! Outside! The stormy skies finally cleared to a beautiful and warm morning!”
Class of 2020 Academic Award winners included: Diego Sifuentes, Religion; Rachel Flynn, English and Language Arts; Emma Rose Dishman, Math; Kaiden Dulkoski, Science; and Theresa Hurysz, Social Studies.
Principal Tyler Kulp also shared some exciting news for the 2020-’21 school year: Sacred Heart School is partnering with the Center for Creative Leadership for our new professional development and leadership training.
“All of our students will take a baseline leadership exam, and throughout the year our staff will be teaching leadership,” he said. “This will partner with our ‘Disciple in Christ: Education in Virtue
Program’ to teach our students how to be virtuous leaders. We are very excited about this new partnership.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
