September 2021 | Page 100

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS & ALUMNI PROFILES Feature upcoming open house dates and notable alumni from your institution .
THE INAUGURAL BANNISTER AWARDS A special leadership section on empowered leaders and the honorees of the 2021 Bannister Awards .

WHAT ’ S NEXT Continued from page 96 development — social , emotional , physical and cognitive . The children are grouped into multi-aged classrooms equipped with a variety of specially designed Montessori materials . This carefully prepared environment provides structure and routine while also giving children freedom of movement and choice , enabling them to become independent and confident learners . The pandemic interrupted the harmony and stability of this whole system by forcing new limitations on our classrooms and teaching techniques which prevented us from authentically implementing the Montessori Method .” — Amy Andrews , Head of School at Ocean State Montessori School in East Providence , oceanstatemontessori . org

“ At Barrington Christian Academy , we were blessed to be full-time in-person during the pandemic . There was a minimal drop-off in student learning , however , accommodations for a COVID-level cleaning regimen certainly impacted teacher routines . Also , to reduce the possibility of transmission , students and faculty followed a much stricter protocol for screening , which resulted in more absences and therefore more teacher follow-up for student work , etc .
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Like most schools , substitute staff was very hard to find in the community . Internal staff banded together to cover classes and help each other in any way possible so we could stay in-person all year .” — Mike Skazinski , Head of School at Barrington Christian Academy in Barrington , bcacademy . org
“ One of the biggest challenges we faced was having our students both in-person and distance learning concurrently . Our teachers worked tirelessly to continue our collaborative educational model and create new ways to allow students to work , learn and grow together .” — Bethany Sosa , Director of Admissions at the Grace School in Providence , meetingstreet . org
Did any heart warming or positive outcomes come about because of the pandemic ?
“ There are numerous snapshots of impressive moments that showed the best of our community : the unity shown by faculty , staff and parents from the onset to keep our community learning , connected and safe ; congratulating a veteran teacher as he celebrated his fiftieth anniversary at the school ; and watching a few medically vulnerable students who were able to stay in person , alongside their classmates , all year .” — Christie Giroux , Director of Admissions and Enrollment at Saint Philomena School of the Sacred Heart
WHAT ’ S NEXT Continued on page 102
Ocean State Montessori School : A Primary ( preschool ) student develops fine motor skills with a Practical Life water pouring activity .
Erin Stephens , OSMS Communications Coordinator

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INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS & ALUMNI PROFILES Feature upcoming open house dates and notable alumni from your institution .
THE INAUGURAL BANNISTER AWARDS A special leadership section on empowered leaders and the honorees of the 2021 Bannister Awards .
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98 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2021