In a year of uncertainty and canceled plans, the faculty and staff of Puget Sound Adventist Academy and Kirkland Seventh-day Adventist School have worked tirelessly to bring a bit of normalcy to their students’.
When COVID-19 hit in Mar. 2020, PSAA and KSDA made the necessary switch to online learning. Although the learning curve was steep, the teachers strapped on their crampons, picked up an ice pick and climbed the mountain of this new type of learning.
Once the 2020–2021 school year had started, Ron Jacaban, PSAA principal, had one mission in mind: “to provide our community with as much normalcy as we can safely undertake.” Looking back on this school year, Jacaban can confidently say, “Mission accomplished.”
Throughout the different stages and phases of the last year and with God’s protection, PSAA and KSDA has continued to offer an excellent, well-rounded program, both in-person and virtually. The academy has continued to offer a modified music program, team sports, school events such as vespers, Senior Survival, banquets and more. The school also continued its history of excellence with modified field trips, a jog-a-thon, sports days and an amazing outdoor music concert. All of these events were complete with masks, sanitizing, social distancing and air purifying. Being able to meet in-person has brought so much joy for students during this difficult year.
All of this was accomplished by what Jacaban attributes to the incredible flexibility of PSAA and KSDA teachers. “We asked more of our teachers this year than we have ever asked of them — and they rose to the challenge," Jacaban said.
To continue in-person learning was not an easy task. At the beginning of the pandemic, administrators were worried what the financial toll this state of emergency would bring. To help ease the newfound costs for equipment like medical-grade air purifiers, Plexiglas protection shields, air foggers, thermometers and more, a new fundraising campaign was born. The "All We Can Be" campaign, ran for three months with a goal of raising $300,000, including a match of $100,000 from two amazing donors. Due to the generosity of the PSAA community, they exceeded the goal and raised a total of $318,585!
Although this was a difficult year for PSAA, KSDA and schools everywhere, there were glimmers of hope — the type of hope that lasts through wind, rain, snow and, yes, even a pandemic.
KSDA students are excited for a chance to worship together as a school in a safe way.
Elementary students enjoy a chance to be outside during recess.
Academy student musician Taikianna plays during the year-end music program.
PSAA student athlete Matthew makes a tough play during an exciting basketball game.
Academy students learn about the basics of sewing in their life skills class.
