Page 12 - The Paduan: Winter 2020

Padua Meets Challenges of Fall 2020 Reopening
During the summer of 2020, Padua’s administration developed
a reopening plan for the fall. The goal was to provide both a safe environment and a premier Franciscan education, with as much live interaction as possible. To accomplish this, multiple taskforces were created, involving administrators, faculty, staff, and parents. The taskforces included Safety and Security, Digital Education, Response to Health Guidance, and Sanitation. Each task force was charged with ensuring compliance with the Diocese of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga and State Health Boards, and the Centers for Disease Control.
The plan that resulted was creative, flexible, and responsive to the ever-changing pandemic situation. In the end, a three-scenario model was developed including a full, five-days-a-week return; a hybrid plan that included half the students in person and half the students virtually; and as a last resort, fully remote instruction. Parents could opt for the all-remote option for the entire first semester. About 5% of our families made that decision, including our international students, who are currently out of country.
In order to provide for all these options, technology, software, and increased data bandwidth was purchased. Every classroom was outfitted with an HD digital camera on a tripod and a new laptop computer. The school’s bandwidth was increased from 300 MB to 1 GB to provide high-level and consistent live streaming. Padua also purchased the Google Suite enterprise version to support live streaming of classes through the very secure Google Meet program. All educational content is being shared through Padua’s MyPad platform, which is available to both parents and students.
Other enhancements help promote social distancing and increase sanitization measures. “We had to rethink our movement, our seating, and how we engage with each other,” said Principal David Stec ‘86. Personal protective equipment was installed throughout the school, including no-touch water bottle filling stations, automatic hand sanitizing dispensers, and ventilation responses, including air conditioners, fans, and air cleaners.
Physical changes were made to the school, including creating an isolation area in the Nurse’s Office, designating traffic flow, and adapting classroom furniture. Every classroom is equipped with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Maintenance staff uses a sanitizing atomizer system to disinfect surfaces throughout the school day.
For the first three weeks of school we leveraged virtual learning to decrease the number of students on campus on a given day to one-half of the normal 760. This facilitated social distancing and time for transitioning back to school and responding to any concerns necessary.
Extracurricular and co-curricular activities have continued to be an important part of the Padua experience. Our Marching Band is in full swing and fall sports have returned to play. Athletic Director Mr. Kevin Leigh ’89, along with his department and coaches worked tirelessly throughout the summer and fall, helping students safely return to their sports and activities. To meet some of the spectator limitations, Padua has implemented the tools and technology needed to stream our events live.
Padua remains committed to delivering on its promise of holiness and learning...ensuring our students are happy, healthy, holy
and highly prepared for college and beyond, no matter what challenges come our way.
To ensure that the Padua community understands the guidelines for safe interaction a mnemonic device was created using the word BRUINS: Be symptom-free, Respect others, Use your mask, Increase distance, No congregating, and Sanitize hands often. BRUINS signs have been posted throughout the school as a reminder of the interaction guidelines.