Trey and Ashleigh Petitto, a sophomore and senior, respectively, at Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg, have easily transitioned into their “new normal” remote learning space at home that is frequently visited by their dog Rocco. (Photo Provided)

WHEELING — Classrooms in West Virginia may be empty, but remote learning illustrates the strength of Catholic schools in meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are not just trying to deal with things and get through this uncertain time. We are taking what some see as a mess and turning it to an opportunity to utilize and enhance everything we already had in place,” Superintendent Mary Ann Deschaine said.

The times have been and are mentally and emotionally challenging, but standards put into place years ago have prepared the diocesan schools, she said.

“I’m not saying we don’t have our obstacles, but I am saying we attack them with a positive, grateful attitude in a Christ-centered environment,” Deschaine said.

While no one could have ever predicted remote schooling and the current situation, improvements in technology and its integration, online learning and networking over the last 20 years have made the transition from classroom to home-based learning smooth.

“Our efforts in the Catholic schools ramped up in 2001, when our focus turned to integrating technology into every classroom at all grade levels,” said Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Hornyak. “We became more forward thinking in 2008, when we introduced Chromebooks to our faculty and students. From that point on teachers were trained continually on Google apps for education and began using it daily.”

Schools are grateful to the many donors, grants, and major gifts they rely on to fund ever-changing and improving technology, she said. The value of the investments are now recognized by the schools and the community, Hornyak said.

Teachers at St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Central Catholic High School (in Huntington) are providing their students with virtual lessons, assignments, and activities through online platforms such as Google Classroom, Renweb, Seesaw, and Remind App.

“Teachers are sharing videos and YouTube clips of themselves teaching concepts, reading stories, and explaining problems to solve,” said Dr. Carol Templeton, principal of both schools. “Teachers have been very creative and purposeful in their approach to providing their students with a variety of rich and stimulating virtual learning environments.”

Recheal Fuscardo, principal at St. Joseph the Worker Grade School in Weirton, said teachers there are providing opportunities to take learning outside through virtual field trips, to zoos, historical locations and museums to continue to enrich learning.

“Not only are we continuing to connect academically with our students, but we are connecting spiritually as well,” she said.

School Masses and Stations of the Cross are live-streamed weekly on Facebook. Social media posts showcase Christ remains the heart and strength of the schools, Hornyak said.

“When the reality of the mandated school closure set in, I held a Zoom meeting with my faculty and staff; and we brainstormed ways to reach the students and actually interact with them,” Nicole Folio, principal of St. Mary’s School in Clarksburg, said. “The first thing we decided was to Live Stream our daily prayer. As the principal I lead daily prayer every day at school, so I started Live streaming the daily prayer at noon, from my home, Monday-Friday for families to view and join in.”

That decision sparked a chain reaction. Parents recorded students saying prayers and sent them to Folio. So, the school shared those on their Facebook page.

“We have received numerous positive comments from the post,” she said. “We approached this challenge like we do all things at our school, as a family.”

Catholic schools have been operating for years in virtual classrooms once one-to-one technology was in place. Therefore, if the school was out for snow days or other reasons, classes could continue online, said Colleen Hoyer, principal of Catholic Central High School in Charleston.

When schools were closed for health reasons, “with a little tweaking we were ready,” she said.

“All teachers are posting assignments in RenWeb each morning,” she said.

Students and parents know expectations. Many teachers are using online textbooks, Google Classroom for assignment distribution, submission, and quizzes or tests, “live” classes through Google Hangouts/Meet and some are creating videos to share with students as a means of instruction.

“It’s remarkable to me what (our teachers) were able to do with such little turnaround time,” she said.

Even the youngest of students have adapted well, said Mary Grace Peck, principal of St. Francis de Sales Grade School, in Beckley.

“Our preschool and kindergarten students were given packets, the teachers made videos of the daily “carpet” rituals they love doing and connect by calls and Facetime with students and parents to check in on everyone,” Peck said.

Parents are appreciative.

“Our school and teachers have been wonderful through all of this,” said Jenny Narrish of Marshall County.

Her daughter, Gabriella, is a kindergartener at Our Lady of Peace School.

“Gabby is still learning the same as if she was in the classroom. I love how they are coming up with ways to still pull us all together,” she said. “I am extremely happy and very thankful with everything they are doing to help us.”

Steve and Michelle Petitto of Clarksburg have two children at NDHS, Ashleigh, a senior, and Trey, a sophomore. Knowing their daughter’s senior year would be scarred by this unforeseen circumstance, they were preparing to deal with some tough emotions and responses from Ashleigh and her peers. However, they are seeing them rise above the odds.

Michelle Petitto said the seniors were to be on their senior trip to Disney World this week, but when it had to be canceled, the students didn’t feel sorry for themselves. They took the Christian life lessons learned in Catholic school and turned their loss into a gain for others.

“This group of amazing, soon to be young adults took it upon themselves and asked permission from the NDHS faculty to do service projects to spread faith and positivity instead of routine school work this week,” she said.

“All of this has been amazing for us as parents to watch,” she said. “Our children have not missed a beat.”

Deschaine said she realizes that the bar has been raised and she is certain her schools will continue to excel and deliver.

“The bottom line is I believe in our principals and teachers. I know our students are receiving the best education academically and spiritually from a Catholic school team that truly loves them,” Deschaine said. “There is nothing more reassuring than that.”