We made it! Our students completed a complex academic year on Friday, June 18, 2021, which will remain embedded in our memories by the implementation of bubble groups, physical distancing, constant hygiene measures, virtual events, and a temporary suspension of field trips and athletic events. Despite all these challenges, learning continued in all grade levels, our teachers made a tremendous and superhuman effort to offer the best experiences for all of our students, and the Class of 2021, the largest graduating class ever, celebrated their graduation with numerous mentions for their remarkable academic performance.
The impact of COVID-19 at ASV was quite low and, between September 2020 and June 2021, only four stable groups were temporarily quarantined. No positive cases were detected at ASV in large part due to the stringent safety and health protocols implemented throughout the academic year. Virtual learning was required for specific close contact cases in Middle School and High School but this mainly occurred in January and February 2021, the period in which the Valencian community was intensively hit by the third wave of the pandemic.
All challenges also provide opportunities, or the proverbial silver lining. Students and staff have exponentially improved their proficiency using online and technology tools, online conferences are conveniently commonplace for our community now, and every day our school is using less and less paper. Although parents have not been able to visit the ASV campus and volunteer as it was common in prior years, events such as the Class of 2021 Graduation and the recent Staff Appreciation Week are a testimonial of our family’s incredible support and recognition.
Thank you to all of our families and students for adapting to continually evolving circumstances, for your support of our world-class team of educators, for taking all the necessary safety and health measures at home to ensure that ASV could provide onsite learning, and for the outpouring words of support and encouragement.
Have a wonderful, safe, restful, and fun-filled summer! Looking forward to welcoming our school community back on September 6, 2021
