#FlamesStrong: EMS Remains Engaged and Active During COVID-19 Shutdown

March 24, 2020 / Andrea Wenger

We #FlamesStrong during this time apart, yet together.

Our halls are quiet and traditional visitation days are cancelled as we join with others to “flatten the curve” during the coronavirus outbreak. But we are still an active school engaged in home-based learning that focuses on academics, social and emotional well-being, physical and outdoor education, and faith formation.

Distance learning
We launched our distance learning program on March 18 with a goal of building community first.

In a video on the first day, Justin King, high school principal, and Maria Archer, K-8 principal, assured students that they are most concerned about student well-being and wanted to make home-based learning as stress free as possible.

On Monday, March 23, Paul Leaman, head of school, launched our online mini chapel series, just a few hours before we learned that Governor Northam had called for the closing of Virginia schools for the rest of the academic year. Additional mini chapels will be recorded by faculty and staff and shared most days with a 6th to 12th grade audience in mind.

Elementary students will hear Maria Archer, K-8 principal, read a book and share reflections and a prayer as part of their weekly virtual Gathering, which normally happens on Wednesday mornings. See the first video featuring the children’s story One, by Kathryn Otoshi.

Read about how we are staying connected and actively learning and engaged during the coronavirus outbreak. You’ll find a gallery of images there from our home-based teachers (some at right) and find links to resources for health and well-being that are updated regularly.

Students and teachers are encouraged to submit photos of their school work and activities during this time for gallery posting and a video later in the term. Send submissions to FlamesStrong@easternmennonite.org

Virtual Visitation
Scheduled visitation dates for prospective families are cancelled, but Marsha Thomas, our admissions counselor, is still busy working on enrollment for fall 2020-21. Openings remain for middle and high school, and scholarship opportunities are available. First grade has openings at the elementary level while other grades are taking applicants for waiting lists.

Email admissions@easternmennonite.org or call 540-236-6021. For a virtual tour, explore our:
– website
– YouTube channel
– Chapel YouTube channel (grades 6 to 12)
– Touring Choir channel

Check out some more photos from this story

Principals Justin King and Maria Archer recorded a video of encouragement on Day 1 of distance learning. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skMxhSv9MbA&feature=youtu.be

Paul Leaman, head of school, records our first mini-chapel on March 23, right before schools were closed for the rest of the academic year. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75GCz1438ek&t=1s

Paul Leaman's early morning picture on March 23. Hear him reflect on the image at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75GCz1438ek&t=32s

Elliot Gascho, assistant assistant athletic director.

Andrew Gascho, athletic director and girls varsity soccer coach (and EMES dad), doing an online team building activity with the team before the season was cancelled.

Kindergartener, Forrest Gascho, created this bookmark using an online drawning tutorial.

Claudia Fencer, biology teacher, recording bird songs for class. She wonders: Did you know that in these two months baby birds learn how to sing?

Justin King, high school principal, missing his colleagues from his home office

Justin King, high school principal. He's a super extrovert, so this is hard for him!

Mary Cranston, English teacher, in her home office

Heidi Byler, third grade teacher and EMES mom, at her home school site

Gini Trotter, middle school counselor and elementary peacebuilding teacher, enjoying the blossoms while she works

Anna Haarer, family and consumer science teacher, gets help from Zoey

Hannah Bailey, first grade teacher, has a crowded home office!

Sarah DeBrun Mitch, science teacher, in her home office during COVID'19 distance learning.

Tyler Kauffman heads up a custodial and dining hall crew that is keeping their distance while they work on projects to make the upper building better than ever when students return.