This morning at 10:58 AM, I received an unexpected message from PEAI that classes would be cancelled from June 28 to 29. Further, all teachers and staff were required to get COVID-19 tests immediately. So, instead of hopping on the subway to Hanti, I went the opposite direction to the nearest testing site. Teachers and staff are currently awaiting results with the hope that we all test negative and can resume classes as normal ASAP.

As for the immediate future, classes will resume on Zoom for at least this week starting on Wednesday. The homework will remain unchanged for classes from July 1 to 3. As for the assignments from June 28 to 30, just the Journal and Project Fair tasks should be completed as normal.

Please submit your #WithMe videos via email to PEAIProjectFair@gmail.com as normal the day it is due for you. See the homework notice for more details. Leave any questions or concerns in the comments and I’ll get back to you.

I’m bummed we can’t finish the half year in Room 2. I had a fun end-of-mid-year activity prepared, and, more importantly, we’ll have to delay the premieres of everyone’s #WithMe videos. Such is life.

Another update in the future if more information becomes available.

UPDATE (June 29, 6:20 PM): Classes will be online for the next week and a half (June 30 to July 10) for all PEAI students. The homework remains unchanged for this week.

UPDATE (July 5, 10:50 PM): Official notice from PEAI to students:

Dear beloved PEAI students,
We wanted to reach out and express our sincere apologies for the overwhelming experience we put you through. Some of you underwent Covid tests and were on a self watch at home. Many of you missed learning opportunities by failing to go to school, and academies and even PEAI. We hear your pain and suffering and want to sincerely apologize to you for any inconveniences and ordeals you had to go through.
Going forward, we also wanted you to know that we’re going to use our experience to make sure we won’t let it happen again and that we would earn back the trust and support you’ve always shown us.
We’ll make safety a top priority and PEAI’ll be a fun learning environment where students continue to learn without any safety concern from today and onward. We all wish you a full, speedy recovery.
Sincerely and seriously yours,
-Jay and Dennis, Directors of PEAI

Additional facts:

June 28: Teacher A tested positive
June 29: Teacher B tested positive
June 30: Teacher C + D tested positive
*All cases confirmed not to be the delta variant
Classes are scheduled to resume July 19.

PEAI is going through real hardship right now. The sudden emergence and spread of the virus brought PEAI to a complete halt. It has taken a real physical and emotional toll on all of us from students to teachers to parents to staff and the Directors. They are under particularly overwhelming pressure right now and trying to do what is right. Please also keep the sick students and teachers in mind; I know some of them are fighting the virus at this very moment.

Stay safe and continue to be vigilant.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

— Helen Keller, The Open Door

-BLT out.

Cancelled