Administrative Update - 03/24/2020

Delaware Governor John Carney on Sunday, March 22, "issued the fourth and fifth modifications to his State of Emergency declaration, ordering Delawareans to stay at home whenever possible and closing all non-essential businesses in Delaware to help fight the spread of COVID-19. The orders go into effect at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. They will remain in effect until May 15 or until the public health threat is eliminated." Click here to read Governor Carney's official Stay-at-Home Order for Delawareans.

 

Pennsylvania and New Jersey Governors have enacted similar orders. Based on these recent developments, and at our meeting yesterday of the Headmaster's Council (by video and audio conferencing), we continue to plan ahead with an abundance of caution. I provide you with an update in the following areas for the Archmere Academy community:

 

1. Academic Program: In our second week of classes using distance learning techniques, faculty and staff continue to share best practices and ideas as they work with students. The XYXY schedule of classes Tuesday through Friday, with Monday designated as a day to connect with the counselors, learning specialist, and teachers, as well as work on projects, reading assignments, and study, is providing continuity and daily experiences that offer a rhythm and routine that approximates as much as possible the on-campus experience. As always, student feedback to their teachers and counselors is encouraged and helpful in evaluating effective learning and engagement.

 

Archmere's Director of Operations, Mr. Carl Campion '76 and Academic Technology Coordinator, Mrs. Maria Elena DiPietro, have been working tirelessly to ensure smooth and seamless remote delivery of our academic program. Our technology team has also provided comprehensive training and resources to faculty and staff in using a variety of interactive technology tools to ensure a fully integrated, interactive and robust delivery of the rigorous academic program our students and families expect. Faculty have participated in interactive webinars for content delivery and student assessment. Though our program delivery will certainly be different, high academic expectations and access to our exceptionally qualified and dedicated faculty and staff will remain unchanged.

Given the State of Emergency declaration in Delaware, along with those in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Archmere Academy campus will be closed to faculty, staff, and students through April 20, 2020 or longer. Specifically, we will continue to conduct classes on-line through Friday, April 3. Easter vacation will be extended and begin on Monday, April 6 through April 19. As the State of Emergency declaration is in effect through May 15, we will be evaluating in the coming weeks our plans after April 20. The faculty and staff will continue to be available to students and families as if all of us were in our classrooms and offices on campus.

2. Athletic and Extracurricular Programs: All athletic and extracurricular programs are cancelled through Sunday, April 20. As I have already noted, The Fine Arts Festival and Preview, Green Concert, and Mothers' Guild Garage Sale have all been postponed. The Honors Convocation (April 2), Soph-Frosh Dance (April 4), Spring Coffee House (April 8) are postponed. No future dates have been set for these events at this time; however, we intend to look for creative solutions for celebrating our students' collective achievements over the coming weeks and months despite missing opportunities to celebrate in person as a community. The Freshman and Sophomore Parent Night scheduled for April 6 has been canceled. Other events which have been scheduled, but potentially could be held virtually, will be explored.

3. Daily Routines:  The campus remains closed to everyone, except for those designated by Mr. Jordan or me who are performing mission-critical functions. These individuals on campus are there for a specific amount of time, restricted to areas specific to their work, and required to take hygienic precautions, as the campus has undergone deep cleaning.

4. Communication: As I stated in my letter last week, our primary goal is to make communications fluid and open, such that parents, students, teachers, and staff continue to feel connected and equipped to continue on with their daily lives. You continue to be an important part of the Archmere community!

5. A Special Note Underscored: With the extended closure dates, I recognize the potential disruption to the signature student events of April and May. As Mr. Jordan and I have already stated, we, along with the faculty and staff, will work creatively to provide unique and unforgettable experiences.

A good friend sent me an article entitled, "God Is Going to Interrupt You" by 1986 Archmere graduate, Lee Mirenda DelleMonache, PhD. Director of Neumann University's Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. In her article reflecting on the current situation, she references Fr. Mike Schmitz, who regularly posts videos on YouTube through "Ascension Presents". His October 30, 2019 segment is entitled "God Is Going to Interrupt You." He concludes his reflection with questions that I believe are relevant and helpful for us to consider: "God, what is it that you want from me in this interruption? What is it that you want to do in me or through me? Like all the saints whose lives were interrupted, this interruption is an occasion for holiness."

We pray for patience, wisdom, and guidance. We pray for the most vulnerable and the less fortunate, for their families and caregivers, for our Archmere community, asking our loving God to keep us and all our loved ones safe in his care.

Be well and be safe,

Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. '76

Headmaster