The Road to In-Person Instruction
January 11, 2022
“It was the most difficult school year that we can remember.” This one quote, summarized the unique challenge of the 2020-21 school year. Our Salem Academy community endured a pandemic, wildfires, ice storms, and power outages, but the biggest hurdle was navigating a year of state control over how private school was conducted because of the declared state of emergency in Oregon. But, God’s story at SA for 2020-21 was a story of victory and faithfulness, not victimhood or failure.
The rollercoaster ride of pandemic living began in 2020 with the Oregon Health Authority’s “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidelines, only allowing Limited In-Person Instruction as a supplement to the comprehensive distance learning that began in the spring - but we took full advantage of that opportunity! Starting fall 2020, secondary students had daily “Google Meets” classes with all their teachers (30min. each) and then afternoon pre-scheduled cohorts for enrichment activities that helped meet the educational and relational needs of our students. Elementary students also had the opportunity to participate in specified classroom pods for morning sessions with their teachers. Salem Academy faculty began the new school year continuing to adapt and grow their “tech” knowledge while also making the most of these in-person moments so students continued to not only receive an excellent education, but feel connected with the SA community.
As 2021 neared, the state mandated regulations would adjust again - this time allowing SA students to have a FULL return to campus in January! Last summer’s planning efforts were not in vain as we were able to implement the “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidelines including social distancing, sanitation protocols, etc. Elementary would return January 5, 2020, followed by secondary students on January 11. We are meant for community, and to have Salem Academy students, faculty, and staff on campus again brought so much joy.
Our faculty expertly navigated the transitions to distance learning, limited in-person instruction, and then a full return to campus while providing full curriculum and an excellent SA education. Our fine arts department presented digital and outdoor concerts; and although our athletic seasons were shorter than usually, we continued to train and compete with excellence, closing out the year with a state runner-up finish in girls basketball and a state championship in boys basketball. And the school year ended with a return to Salem Alliance to celebrate our 2020 graduates.
One parent shared, “2020 has been crazy. I’m used to crazy. I always look for the good in every situation. I’m in awe at what an outstanding job SA and their staff continue to do for our children in these crazy times. Shout out to our principal Mrs. Hammer. Every day she is out here making sure the right people are here to pick up each kid, and when it’s raining outside, she escorts the kiddos to their cars one at a time under her umbrella.”
The team that God has called to lead Salem Academy rose to the challenge, and God’s faithfulness was so evident through it all. We have set records for retention percentage of current students, and our enrollment of new K-12 students nearly doubled as we welcome 170 new students for the 2021-22 school year. We are adding a new Educational Support Services department, expanding our ability to provide assistance for all students to meet the challenges of a rigorous SA education. We weathered the Covid storm, and we are in fantastic shape to continue our growth plan and re-launch our campus master planning process.
A lot of problems and crises have had center stage for so many months, but do we realize who is the real Star of the show? God didn’t get sick, or get displaced, or stop doing His good work. The blessings that God showered on Salem Academy are too numerous to share, but we can testify: He is so good, and it is great to be His! We are so grateful for the thousands of people that are our partners on this journey of God’s faithfulness to His school. The best is yet to come!