Welcome Back In-Person Coordination!

By Maya R. ‘23

2020-21 is a school year that will not soon be forgotten! In-person school came to a halt, students became virtual Zoom experts overnight, and many families grew closer to family and pets, whether they wanted to or not. However, what BMS students felt the most was having their daily lives completely disrupted and being kept away from  friends. Returning to BMS this Fall feels like a breath of fresh air. In addition, in-person coordinated classes and school events have made a comeback! Mawrtians continue to count their blessings now that everyone is back in the classroom with their friends, listening once again to teachers and slowly but surely, returning to “normal” lives. 

To kick off the school year, Fall Fling gave the Freshmen a sense of normalcy. The Library Quad, decorated with fluorescent lights and abundant candy, was the perfect setting for the first post-pandemic event. Not only was the event well organized, but it made BMS the talk of the town! With over 300 total attendees from Bryn Mawr, Roland Park, St. Paul’s, Boys Latin, Gilman, Mcdonough and one or two public schools thrown in the mix, this dance was truly a night to remember. One freshman recalls: “Fall Fling was so fun! I liked it being outside because there was more room than there would have been if it was inside and also it wasn’t super hot like it might have been if it was inside either!” She added: “It was also really nice to see people from other schools, especially my friends from my old school.” Even the chaperones had a great time. One faculty member remarked that she was impressed with how well behaved the students were. She could feel the joy that the freshmen experienced, dancing, laughing, and meeting new people. In addition to Fall Fling, Gilman also held its Fall Dance in person. Bryn Mawr students enjoyed hanging out with Gilman students, with whom they have coordinated classes, outside of the classroom setting. Students felt that these two dances really brought the community back together. 

Not only have coordinated social events returned, but so are coordinated in-person classes! A student from the class of ’23 described her dislike for Zoom coordinated classes and is thrilled to be back in person: “I had virtual French and I felt disconnected from the rest of the people in the class. At times I felt that I couldn’t really make connections with the students at the other schools. I also felt that I always had to be alert/presentable because I was on the big screen projected in front of the class.”  Another student shared her excitement to be back in her Gilman class. She stated: “It’s fun to meet new people, and walking to and from Gilman is a lot of fun and definitely adds to the coordinated class experience. Virtual school was particularly difficult for students who were new to BMS last year.” One student commented, “it definitely made it hard to connect with my classmates. I am so happy to be welcomed as a new student here at Bryn Mawr and am thankful it’s in person!”

So let’s take a minute to reflect on this past year and be grateful for our community’s overall health and productivity. But also, it is important to be mindful that the BMS population is fortunate enough to be back on campus taking full advantage of in-person classes and events, and above all, of seeing friends in-person every day.

Photos courtesy of David Stephens