Aquinas Landmark Spring 2021

LUNCH While the cafeteria has had a change in décor with classroom desks replacing tables, and stickers outlining the floor that remind us to remain six feet apart, lunchtime – for the most part – is business as usual. Mrs. Kaplan and her team prepare and serve a hot lunch every day and students, while distanced, still get to chat with one another. In addition to the cafeteria and student union, the field house provides additional seating during lunches. Aquinas seniors eat at a table in the senior lounge, which has an acrylic divider for safety. “We want our kids to be active, that’s always been the basis of our program,” said Aquinas PE teacher Bob D’Ettore ‘73. “But with social distancing, the inability to share equipment, and no access to the locker rooms, we’ve had to be creative and find new activities that fit within the new parameters.” Without the ability to change for PE class, Mr. D’Ettore says there has been less focus on drill work and more emphasis on just having fun. In the fall, PE classes took advantage of the outdoors walking the track, and playing frisbee golf, bocce ball, low-intensity soccer games, and catch with lacrosse sticks. When the weather changed and students moved inside, games turned to bean bag toss, kickball where only the pitcher can touch the ball, and the most popular games, badminton and pickleball. “This year is different and at times has been difficult, but we’ve also seen some very positive things come out of this,”noted Mr. D’Ettore. Aquinas students play pickleball in the Wegman Napier Gym. PHYSICAL EDUCATION 6TH GRADE From the third floor to the Fine Arts Center, Aquinas’ youngest cohort made a big move this school year. Our TEAM 6 teachers Ms. Sadler ‘91, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Baschnagel, Mrs. Flynn, and their 66 sixth grade students currently occupy the band and choir rooms, as well as the Blackbox Theatre. In order to keep all students in each of Aquinas’ three sixth grade classes together, and properly distanced, they simply needed more space. And the Fine Arts Center offered just that. “We’ve loved having our own little wing this year,” said sixth grade teacher Tricia Sadler ‘91. “Our students get to experience the bigger picture of Aquinas and learn in a safe environment that keeps us together as a family. As first-year students during a pandemic, that’s been extremely important.” Tricia Sadler ‘91 teaches her 6th graders in the Blackbox Theatre. 10 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SPRING 2021