A Reflection On Reopening And What’s Next

Dr. Botti gives a warm welcome to Browning students at the red doors after a long hiatus from in-person learning, September 9, 2020. The School opened in a hybrid learning program after months of planning by the administration (Photo: Da Ping Luo). 

Whether from the building or a computer screen, the Browning administration has successfully dealt with the challenge of running a school during a global pandemic, but there are many obstacles for the remainder of the school year. As of now, the administration’s intention is to remain in hybrid learning.

“I’m proud of all that this community has done to stay together, but it’s hard, and we’d all like to return to a full schoolhouse with a standard schedule,” Head of School John Botti said.

Dr. Botti believes that the preparation for our school’s reopening was an essential part of why we have had a successful schooling system at Browning. It was planned out over the summer with one goal: to have students enter the building in September.

“There was a group of administrators who met in an effort to work out reopening plans, respond to changing governmental guidance, and prepare the school for hybrid learning,” Dr. Botti said. “The situation placed incredible demands on our nursing, facilities, and communications colleagues, and they were so skilled in creating solutions to unforeseen challenges.”

Head of Middle School Danielle Passno commended Dr. Botti’s leadership for the integral role he played in Browning’s re-opening.

“I was really inspired by Dr. Botti's leadership throughout the pandemic,” Ms. Passno said. “Not only because of his foresight of how we would need to plan but also because of his “can-do” attitude that we could find a way to open if we worked well as a team.”

Dr. Botti is also thankful for Browning’s reopening thus far. 

“It’s been difficult for all of us,” Dr. Botti said. “Families have been asked to show a lot of flexibility around communication and scheduling, boys are being asked to constrain their movement in really difficult ways, and our faculty and staff are working so hard to create the best possible learning experiences under the most challenging conditions of our careers.”

Ms. Passno believes that following safety measures has been the main reason for the successful year. She praised students and families for following health protocols, and Ms. Passno’s belief that Browning could open with the right amount of creativity and planning became true. 

Students on the receiving end of this plan have also shown positivity towards our smooth reopening.

“I think Browning has done a fantastic job with reopening because they have been very transparent in how they are managing the school with the coronavirus still spreading in New York City,” Quinny B. ’25 said. 

Browning has also accommodated a handful of solely remote students. The School has worked on incorporating them through Zoom calls and other interactive, innovative ways.

“It’s easy to see how much work has been put into helping create an environment where those of us who are learning remotely can feel included and part of things. It isn’t easy being away from friends and teachers, but I’m really grateful for all the work my teachers have done to make things easier,” Adam B. ’25 said.

Strictly following necessary health measures at all times is not easy, but in order to return, individual sacrifice is needed. Dr. Botti acknowledged that maintaining social distance with loved ones or not participating in hobbies are difficult for all of us, but he knows that these major sacrifices are needed at the expense of a successful hybrid version of school.

In a year like 2020, change is bound to happen, so there is a backup plan if cases spike dramatically again. 

“Our teachers are ready to move to fully online instruction if we are unable to gather in person, and each division has a learning schedule ready. If rates rise to the point where it is prohibitively risky to bring boys and adults to in-person school, we’ll make the move online to keep people safe. Dr. Botti said.

Ms. Passno also noted that the academic growth and relationship building we value so highly will not be sacrificed if the circumstances force Browning into this situation.

“We are ready to go online if we need to do so. That's one of the reasons we switched to a more robust learning platform such as Canvas,” Ms. Passno said.

Ms. Passno and the whole Browning administration have intricately planned our future, and they will be sure to make any necessary adjustments.