OLEAN, N.Y. (WKBW) — It's a major milestone - in an on-doing pandemic, Archbishop Walsh and Southern Tier Catholic School is celebrating 100 days of safe in-person learning.
The school just celebrated this achievement Tuesday. Third grade teacher Bethann Owens said her students are thriving.
"It helps with our relationships, the social aspect for the students. They're able to dig deeper and go much further with their education than you can when you're online," she said.
"The teacher is always there to help you and you can meet your friends, and you don't have to turn on a computer," said Finley Budd.
But what's most important to students is being able to see their friends in class.
"I get to be with my friends, and I like that better than just seeing them on a computer," said Ben Power.
"When I'm in school you don't have to do as much assignments as online," said Nick Dove.
Principal Thomas Manko said it's all thanks to the group effort of everyone in the school - wearing masks all day long, daily classroom cleaning and staying socially distant.
"We understood the gravity of the situation, we didn't quibble about do you wear this? Do you social distance? We did everything we were required to do," he said.
"They have been on top of things from the beginning and thy just continued to lead us and guide us, and they set the precedence for everything that everybody else in and out of the building does," said Owens.
