DANBURY—Continuing with a rigorous academic program, Immaculate High School students are awakening their hearts to transform challenging times into caring times. This vibrant school community ignites its charisms of service and educates the whole student while preparing for a joyful Easter season. During Lent, students have stepped up to support one another and those in the community who are facing daily hardships while pursuing their coursework and extracurricular activities with vigor and grace. Consciously spending more time in prayer whether in the school’s Monsignor Hossan Memorial Chapel or at home, students are embracing their faith through self-reflection, repentance and almsgiving.
During this time of renewal and new beginnings, the school is discontinuing its twelve months of
student cohorts and virtual learning by inviting all students to attend class in person. “When reviewing our current mitigation practices, we feel confident with opening our doors to all students to return to the school building,” shares school President Mary Maloney. The school will continue to adhere to all CDC and Danbury Public Health guidance, especially the wearing of face masks for the remainder of the school year.
The school has been able to offer its students the ability to engage in a synchronous hybrid learning environment where fifty percent of the students were in the building and fifty percent attended class remotely. To assist students with the challenges of the hybrid program, the counseling department began offering an increased number of advisory programs and grade level meetings, as well as created a Helping Peer Excel Program, a Scholars Program, a Freshman in the Fold program and a Virtual Calming room, an online space where students can access visuals, sounds and activities designed to help lower stress. In addition, PSAT, SAT and ACT tests have been administered, students have been participating in regular club activities, and have earned awards in Mock Trial, Cyber Patriots, Engineering, Writing and Art competitions. The school’s athletic teams have been able to participate in league competitions in the fall and winter. Principal Wendy Neil compliments the efforts of teachers, building maintenance teams, support staff and parents for sustaining the ability to provide students with a positive experience. “Everyone has worked so hard to maintain our excellent programs and now we are looking forward to being back together with all of our students,” she exclaims.
With the significant reduction of local positive cases in the Danbury area and the ability for school personnel to be vaccinated, the school’s decision to invite all student’s back to the building was welcomed by faculty and administrators. The school will continue to offer the option for parents who have family members or students who are at high risk of severe illness due to exposure to the disease, to have their child remain enrolled on the school’s virtual student roster.
“Although so many are uncertain about what life may be like after the pandemic, we are certain that our experiences have strengthened our understanding of the lessons of humility, the importance of caring for others, and our need to trust in God’s love. We are extremely thankful for the blessings that have been bestowed upon our school community and pray that Easter blessings will be abundant for all,” states Maloney.
