Proctor Academy welcomed students back to campus in mid-January, and after a week of quarantining in dorms and then managing a few positive COVID-19 cases within the student and adult populations, the school was able to settle into a relatively normal routine of in-person classes, afternoon activities, and residential life. 

Special precautions, including biweekly COVID-19 testing of all day students and commuting employees, weekly COVID-19 tests for everyone in the community, mandatory face masks at all times, and no weekend travel or visitation by families of boarding students has helped keep the community safe.

While much is different this winter on campus, it is in those moments that remain the same, where we have been able to sustain our traditions and routines, that we have found comfort. This year more than most, we crave the constancy of tradition. 

We long for a week that feels “normal”, for the trek to and from assembly, students streaming down the hill in front of the Wilkins Meeting House and filtering into the Wise for snacks or across the street to JJ’s Market for a breakfast sandwich before class. We desperately miss these whole community moments.

We are thankful to have been able to sustain many of our winter traditions, including a modified Proctor Ski Area celebration on February 6, the Hays Speaking Contest on February 8, weekly athletic contests with other Lakes Region schools, and Winter Carnival during the week of February 8 to 14, as it is these moments that temporarily allow us to experience “normal” during what has been anything but a normal year.

To follow more of the community happenings and academic work being done at Proctor, check out blog posts and news stories at blogs.ProctorAcademy.org.