Greens Farms Academy Faces Home Stretch of Uncertain Year
By Jack Pegler, ’24
Now approaching the halfway point of the fourth rotation, GFA has gone nearly the entire year in person during a global pandemic. While there is still some uncertainty regarding the start of school next year, students should expect to see the usual end-of-school-year events, with some exceptions.
One of the exceptions includes May Term, the school’s end-of-year, week-long activity for students to explore their personal interests in courses designed by faculty, cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
Despite this change, there is still reason to celebrate and be joyful after a long and eventful year of in-person learning.
“What I hear from teachers is that, in a lot of cases, the work students have done has just been exceptional,” Head of Upper School Andrew Jones said. “I’m just thrilled that we’ve been able to do school the way we have.”
While the end-of-year schedule may change to allow more time for students to convene outside, what the schedule will look like for the beginning of the ’21-’22 year is unknown. Whether coronavirus precautions will be taken next year is also unknown but likely.
“I’m hopeful that we’ll have a much more normal looking schedule next year. But there are aspects of what we’ve done this year that I think we can improve on schedules we’ve had in the past.” Jones said. “I think realistically next year, we’ll probably start the year in masks and with distancing requirements, so we won’t be in a fully normal situation.”
No matter what, the GFA community is grateful to have been in person for almost every day of learning this year during a year of uncertainty and unpredictability. This year has been truly like none other and required the cooperation of every student and faculty member.