by Steven Baldino and Justine Cox

How Did We Create A Yearbook That Represents A School Year Impacted By Covid-19?

by Steven Baldino & Justine Cox Elementary School Faculty 2020-2021 Yearbook Committee

The story of the 2020-2021 elementary school yearbook is a story of a community coming together to learn in new ways and strengthen bonds in the most unusual of circumstances. The COVID lockdown posed several challenges to students, families, and faculty, but we were able to persevere. When discussing the theme of the yearbook, we decided on a theme which would allow us to highlight the many successes of this school year: “Staying Connected: Wherever We Are!” Despite the challenges of the lockdown, the elementary school community was able to make virtual learning and school activities as seamlessly connected as possible. In the yearbook photos and student writing responses, you will find a lot of creative ways students, faculty, and families have continued to build connections and have fun, while following COVID safety precautions. Technology, for example, has been a big game changer in elementary school this year, which is reflected in the yearbook’s many examples of innovative virtual learning and playing that took place during the lockdown. It is clear every teacher and student has become proficient in staying connected via email, virtual video calls, and Seesaw, in addition to Moodle. The yearbook demonstrates this through screenshots of synchronous learning, highlights of projects and presentations, online community padlets, and student photography of lockdown life. The student lockdown photography project was a highlight of the book. We wanted to dedicate a page to showing what this challenging year was like for students at home. We decided to send out a photography prompt to students that gave them an opportunity to share their experience of lockdown at home. We received some beautiful photos and insight into the different ways students and families adapt to this pandemic’s challenges.

This year all of us had to rely on technology to stay connected. This proved to be frustrating at times, but ultimately we gained a lot of skills. Our elementary school principal Ms. Sophia Moros put it perfectly when she told students in her opening statement in the yearbook, ‘You have an expanded level of digital skills and have built awareness and understanding around the various uses of technology. Truly a remarkable head-start for your learning needs of the future!’ This proves that our school community is creative and strong enough to overcome any challenges in our path.