SPS College Advisers Offer Their Guidance

Ashley Festa

While the fall semester at St. Paul’s will look different in almost every way, members of the college advising team are resourcefully adapting to ensure students have the same high-quality experience with their office. “I am really optimistic for this year and for our students,” says Erin Ainor, interim director of college advising. “I think they’ll fare very well and still have a lot of options even though it feels uncertain in many ways.”

When offices began working remotely this past spring, the SPS college advisers were able to continue one-on-one meetings with students, albeit virtually. Video chats allowed Ainor to read students’ facial expressions and share screens to collaborate just as they would in person. Virtual meetings also had some extra advantages; Ainor says she was able to meet with students more often because they were less busy at home than at school. And parents were also included more often.

“Because we’re 100 percent boarding, we invited parents only twice a year for our programming – once in fall and once in winter,” Ainor explains. “But, this spring, we offered three webinars for parents. Those were fantastic and well received. “Parents might not be able to attend an on-campus presentation on a Friday afternoon,” she adds. “If we offer it virtually, they might be able to participate.” Looking toward the fall, Ainor says, SPS won’t be inviting any visitors to the School – including college representatives. However, she hopes the college advising team will be able to turn the obstacle into a benefit by using video chats. “Video meetings might allow us to hear from colleges that don’t travel as much,” she says. “They might be able to speak to students and open up those options to them.”

Isabel Maney ’21, who serves as editor of The Pelican, has been busy over the summer writing college applications. She appreciates her adviser’s help exploring college newspapers as part of her research. “They have been comforting in putting all the big changes to applications in context,” says Maney, who has been working with Associate Director of College Advising Max Gordon. “We have continued to focus on finding colleges that suit me. Over the summer, this has meant attending many college virtual sessions.” Ainor expects Sixth Formers in particular to excel this academic year and beyond, adapting to the challenges the coronavirus pandemic has presented.

“Our students are really well prepared if they move on to a college that has online-only learning,” Ainor says. “They’ve already had this experience at St. Paul’s.”

Coaches Approach COVID-19 with Creativity

Ashley Festa

Athletic Director Dick Muther’s first priority is always student health and safety. His second? Creating a fun and exciting season of fall and winter sports, even in the age of COVID-19. St. Paul’s is planning interscholastic competitions for most fall and winter sports, though it will look different than in typical seasons. There’s no preseason this year, and the regular season won’t begin until at least October. The delay will allow the department time to ensure the wellbeing of all student-athletes.

“We want to make sure we have a healthy community first,” Muther says. “We’re going to have a slow buildup.” Temperature checks, hand sanitizer, and smaller groups will be the norm for athletic events and practices. Students and coaches will wear face coverings on the sidelines, though students won’t be required to play in masks. St. Paul’s athletes will compete only with schools that employ the same safety protocols. “Schools agree not to have outside fans,” Muther says. “If students want to watch games, they can be masked and socially distanced. We will livestream or film games as much as possible so parents and grandparents can see their kids playing. We’re trying to be creative in thinking about this puzzle.”

That creativity includes the possibility of new sporting activities, and some students have ex- pressed interest in participating in an outdoor experience and mountaineering skills program. Muther says the Athletic Department may offer more variety if there’s enough interest. “We’ve reached out to faculty, and many are happy to take a group walking or canoeing,” Muther says. “We want students to get exercise; that’s why we’re creating other opportunities.”

Field hockey captain Megan Mallgrave ’21 is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. “I’m glad the Athletic Department is committed to getting us back out on the field,” she says. “Playing sports is going to be really important in the fall because it will give us the chance to let loose and have some fun.” Sixth Former McKenna Otey, who captains girls soccer and crew, hated to miss the spring rowing season when St. Paul’s closed due to the coronavirus. She says she’s grateful for the work the School has put in to ensure students will have a full St. Paul’s experience this fall.

“The challenges of athletics in the upcoming year seem quite daunting,” Otey says. “However, after the way we handled distance learning, I don’t think there is anything St. Paul’s as a community can’t handle.”