Virtual learning has made it challenging for students to socialize as they normally would between classes and throughout the school day. The Calais School has come up with an innovative way to give students an opportunity to practice social skills while enjoying time online with old and new friends.

As a student in The Calais School’s 12 Plus Program, I have experienced firsthand how the COVID-19 pandemic has confined Calais’s students and teachers to cohorts. This model keeps us safe, but it does not give students and staff much variety in who they see at school or online each day. Recently, however, that changed, thanks to an idea from The Calais School’s guidance counselor, Ms. Michelle Primiano. Shortly before the Winter Break, Ms. Primiano formed a Lunch Club for Upper School juniors, seniors, and 12 Plus students. Although the club has met only about three times, students have been greatly enjoying the fifteen to twenty minutes of each Wednesday afternoon that they spend reconnecting with friends and staff in other grades.

A typical Lunch Club consists of exchanging pleasantries, asking and answering Would You Rather questions, reminiscing about old Calais memories, and sharing good news of future plans and of little tidbits from those who have kept in touch with former students.  Even Calais’s AAI dogs sometimes join in, which not only brings extra excitement but also sparks even more socialization and helps ease students’ fears to join in on conversations. During these Wednesday afternoon meetings, counselors and teachers guide students as needed to encourage them to practice social skills.

On Tuesdays and on Wednesday mornings, I’ll be doing my Calais work or be studying a CCM textbook and suddenly remember, “That’s right! I have Lunch Club at 12:45!” and excitedly wonder which Would You Rather questions I might get to answer and which students and teachers will show up, whether I saw them last Wednesday or they will be coming today or tomorrow for the first time. Since I am a part-time Calais student — that is, I spend most of my time at CCM and anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours on Calais video calls each day depending on how many classes and related services are in my schedule — I find it especially helpful for me to be able to take a little break to laugh and socialize with people I would not see in the New Normal. This time a year ago, and even earlier, I would get to say hello to these people in the hallways, at lunch, and in electives. Although our circumstances have changed, I am always thankful for Calais’s teachers and staff, like Ms. Primiano, who continuously devote themselves to thinking about and implementing what is best to help students learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. 

This post was written by Katie G., Marketing Intern for The Calais School. The Calais School now features a monthly editorial from the perspective of our student body.