As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the world, governments have issued stay-at-home mandates, leading to school closures and widespread event cancellations.  Despite the physical distance, the Sacred Heart Greenwich community continues to engage via a number of newly-virtual events.  School traditions, including the Winter Sports Award Ceremony, All-School Art Show, Spring Concert, Campus Ministry gatherings, and community service activities are taking place remotely. 

Restructured award ceremonies will be held to honor winter athletes for the dedication and sportsmanship they showed throughout the winter season.  The Athletic Department announced the Middle School students who won these awards on social media with posts including messages from coaches.  For Upper School teams, there will be a virtual recognition event April 29, to which the Athletic Department invited all student-athletes and their parents.  Coaches will present awards to each distinguished athlete and the Athletic Department will also post each recipient on social media after the ceremony. 

The opportunity for Sacred Heart students to showcase their artwork remains possible as a result of the digital All-School Art Show, happening in late May.  The Sacred Heart Art Department plans to compile a slide show featuring artwork from all three school divisions.  In preparation for the virtual display, art classes are meeting online to share their work, ask questions, and discuss ideas.  

Sophomore Heidi McGannon, a student in the Drawing & Painting course, looks forward to displaying her artwork during the virtual art show.

“I’m so excited about the virtual art show this year,” Heidi said.  “Last year’s art show was so successful, and I can’t wait to display my work again this year.  I am including a pen and ink drawing of a flower pot, and a watercolor painting I made recently of Newport, Rhode Island.”  

Plans surrounding a rescheduled Spring Concert are uncertain, but the Upper School Madrigals are still exercising their musical talents.  The singing group typically meets once a week for sectional rehearsals.  Miss Annette Etheridge, Middle and Upper School Music Teacher and Upper School Music Director, is working to produce a virtual choir video of the song “Rise Up” by Andrea Day featuring the voices of the Madrigals.  Miss Etheridge is also coordinating with Mr. Sean Lowery, Director of Upper and Middle School Orchestra, and Upper School Chorus Teacher, on a vocal and instrumental collaboration between the Upper and Middle School music students.   

Even with Sacred Heart’s decision to cancel the Upper School Service Day, students still have the ability to help others.  Mrs. Kerry Bader, Director of Upper School Social Justice and Service and Senior Seminar Service, arranged a number of at-home community service programs for students. 

Some opportunities include creating cards for first responders and residents of Saint Patrick’s nursing home, recording videos for residents of King Street Rehab, becoming a penpal with Middle and Lower School students, and working as a virtual babysitter for children of faculty and staff.  Residents of Saint Patrick’s nursing home and first responders received over 600 cards from Sacred Heart students. 

Mrs. Maureen Considine, Director of the Upper School Campus Ministry, organizes virtual chapels, prayer services, and liturgies.  Every night of Holy Week, Sacred Heart hosted virtual prayer services featuring guided meditations, the Rosary, the Daily Examen, Stations of the Cross, and prayers for Holy Thursday and Palm Sunday.

“As an Upper School, we will continue to hold our chapel service using a variety of formats,” Mrs. Considine said.  “This past week we asked students to look outside to see the beauty of God’s creation and we are creating a slideshow to highlight these photos.” 

Featured Image by Claire Moore ’22