By Kevin O’Connell ‘21

For the first time since March of 2020, the entire Brother Rice student body will be in the building. Mr. Alberts and the administration have laid out a plan to allow students to return to full-sized classes. Barring an unforeseen spike in COVID-19 cases, things are looking up.

Students received a notification email last week from Mr. Alberts that said the following:

  1. The week after Easter break, everyone will continue with our current hybrid system. This is due to the number of families traveling over the holiday.
  2. Seniors will return to 100% in-school on Monday, April 19; While the freshman, sophomore, and juniors will remain on the hybrid schedule, with alternating Maroon and Orange days.
  3. Juniors return to 100% in-school on Monday, April 26, while the freshman and sophomore students stay on the hybrid schedule, with alternating Maroon and Orange days.
  4. Seniors’ last day will be Friday, May 7. This is also the final day of the Maroon and Orange hybrid schedule.
  5. Freshmen and sophomores return to 100% in-school on Monday, May 10. On May 10, all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be 100% in-school.
  6. Students will have an option to go 100% remote learning; they will not need to provide a doctor’s note to go 100% remote, but the school will need to know before the student is scheduled to start 100% in-person.

Unsurprisingly, students are excited about the news. Senior Aidan O’Connor said, “It’s going to be great to get all the boys back together.”

It’s been a stressful year for Crusaders. Junior Liam Lyons said, “Since day one. it’s been frustrating not being in school with all your friends at the same time, so being able to all be back together is great.”

The 2020-21 school year can be best summed up in one phrase: improvise, adapt, overcome. From virtual learning to empty classrooms to quarantines, students and staff have been through the ringer. The last month of school has the chance to be a different story.

It may only be for a few weeks, but having everyone in the building will have a major impact on day-to-day life for the Brother Rice community. Seniors can enjoy their last days of high school as a class, not hindered by hybrid schedules. Juniors can see friends one last time before their final year together, and underclassmen can build friendships as one solid group.

Freshman Mike DeMatteo said, “I’m excited to see my whole grade in school for the first time all year.”

After what can only be described as a long haul, the school year can end on a high note with full classrooms. The (socially distanced) brotherhood in the Crusader hallways is back and better than ever.