The past few months have not been easy for anyone in the education field, but Whitehall-Coplay Middle School Principal Angela Friebolin has found positivity in both her staff’s ability to adapt quickly to virtual learning, as well as her students’ capacity to use the new format. According to Friebolin, the students’ transition to online schooling has gone smoothly, since middle schoolers are comfortable using technology and are used to the Google Chrome platform.

“Our students are digital natives in that they are perfectly comfortable in front of a screen. Our task is to make the learning as rigorous and relevant as it would be during in-person learning,” she said.

Zoom and Google Classroom are allowing teachers to connect with students, and school counselors have been checking in with students as well. Administrators and office staff have been contacting families if students fall behind on assignments in order to help them catch up.

Friebolin has been communicating with staff by holding grade-level faculty meetings each week using Zoom. WCMS’ faculty leaders group records any questions or concerns from staff, which are then discussed at the meetings. She has been keeping staff regularly updated and informed of communications with parents.

Seventh-grade math teacher Sharon Gumhold is impressed with the commitment of both parents and students since COVID-19 turned their world upside-down.

“During this unforeseeable situation, I am so proud of how a majority of students (and supportive parents) have come together to support one another and work through this unplanned closing of schools,” she said. “We have dealt with all of the uncertainty and struggles with connectivity, and our students have come out of this with positive attitudes and resiliency!”

Lori Galucy, sixth-grade school counselor, has been having one-on-one Zoom sessions to assist students with their assignments, has been helping parents manage schoolwork and has been working with families experiencing difficult times. She has also been sending messages to students on their birthday to let them know they are in her thoughts.

“I really miss the daily interactions with my students and the staff at school. I love talking with students and helping them with any challenges they may face. I really miss seeing the students grow and change during this second half of the school year and become more insightful and sure of themselves,” she said.

Friebolin said while her typical workday has completely changed with the new school format, she is trying hard to maintain consistency with the administrators and staff by setting up specific meeting times for teachers and departments so she and Assistant Principals Jeffrey Krempasky and Joshua Thatcher can make sure someone is available to attend each meeting.

Between discussions with district administration Mondays and faculty meetings Fridays, she confers with building administration to discuss any student concerns and ways to improve virtual learning. WCMS staff are also hard at work planning locker clean-outs and other end-of-year duties.

For Friebolin, working from home has been an adjustment, as it has for many parents.

“My husband, Josh, and I have our own children who are also doing online learning, so we have to work time into the day for their lessons as well. Frequently in the evening, after everyone is settled, I will work for a few more hours,” she said.

Galucy knows staying home has been a struggle for many families, but she hopes it has allowed families to bond.

“I hope, in this time away from school, that families were able to grow closer and connect with one another. This is a wonderful time to get to really know your children and spend some quality time with them,” she said.

Friebolin said one of the hardest aspects of the current situation is that the eighth-grade class missed out on their farewell dance and other special activities before moving on to high school. Starting June 8, a slideshow will be posted on the WCMS website, whitehallcoplay.org/Domain/8, that will recognize each eighth-grade student, as well as award winners. She will be sending the link to families and invites the community to view it as well.

“This unprecedented time has really magnified what Whitehall-Coplay stands for as a community. When we encountered a difficult situation, we all pulled together to get the job done for our students,” Friebolin said. “I would like our community to know that no matter what school looks like in the fall, we will make sure it is a high-quality, rigorous learning environment. Also, we really miss our students, and we can’t wait to see them again!”