Without their principal, Pilgrim High School students return to pandemic politics

WARWICK — Pilgrim High School students resumed their in-person lessons and classwork on Monday, encountering emotional teachers and missing their principal.

Gerald Habershaw, 57, the widely popular principal, died Saturday of complications from COVID, according to his younger brother David Habershaw. His unexpected death came as officials investigated his enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols at a Nov. 6 homecoming dance and as hundreds of students and parents joined in an online outcry.

In a crosscurrent of pandemic politics, teenagers returned from two days of remote learning followed by their Thanksgiving break.

Laura Carvalho noticed that her granddaughter was “kind of quiet” on the way to school Monday morning. The teen told her grandmother she was sad.

“[Habershaw] was highly regarded,” said Carvalho, whose three children attended Pilgrim. “It’s very sad right now.”

A 'horrible rumor' and dance fallout

Over the weekend, even as word of the principal’s passing rippled through Warwick, some students had talked about walking out of class on Monday morning as a protest.

More: What we know about the COVID cases spreading from Pilgrim High homecoming dance

More: Pilgrim High School principal Habershaw died of COVID complications, says his brother

Administrators and officials sought to eliminate what they said was misinformation. This, as protesters, including some from out of town, picketed against pandemic regulations.

School Committee member Karen Bachus said she sought to dispel “a horrible rumor” that Habershaw and the school’s social arts coordinator, Cynthia Rix, had faced termination because of possible infractions of COVID-19 safety protocols at the homecoming dance.

“Both were put on paid leave pending an investigation,” said Bachus. “But no one had been demoted or fired and there was no intention to dismiss either individual.”

But with at least 45 people who attended the dance later testing positive for COVID, according to the state Health Department, and state officials pressing for an explanation, Bachus said the district had to investigate “to determine what happened at the dance.”

And it was proper, she said, to put Habershaw and Rix, who helped organize the event, on paid leave until that investigation by the superintendent’s office was complete.

While the dance was held outside in a tent, video shot by a Warwick Beacon reporter showed dozens of unmasked students congregating inside the school, where food was being offered.

Habershaw was also videotaped not wearing a mask in the school. State mandates require all students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings.

Bachus said the investigation was nearing completion late last week, before Habershaw’s death. The findings of that investigation would be turned over to the School Committee for discussion as to whether “any sort of discipline” was warranted.

Still in disbelie

Eddie Medina, 17, said students abandoned their walkout plan after teachers reassured them Rix had not lost her job.

They remained quite jolted by Habershaw’s death.

“I’m still in disbelief of it all,” said Medina.

He had missed out on the dance, he said. In part, that was because he hadn’t been able to get a negative COVID-19 test in time, he said.

Some students, including 14-year-old Brandon Irving and 15-year-old Danielle Rivera, noticed that students and teachers were more dutiful about COVID protocols.

Irving said he believed the circumstances of Habershaw’s death were a motivator for some students. Rivera agreed.

Both teens also noticed that some teachers were emotional.

“It was kind of a chaotic day,” Irving said as he left the property.

On a nearby sidewalk in front of the school buses and students, a man swung the serpentine Gadsden flag. A small group of protesters who call themselves “freedom fighters” looked for attention from passing motorists.

One picket said she was “too afraid” to give her name after she made some comments about COVID protocols. Josh Joseph, a 38-year-old Woonsocket man, wore a furry racoon-style hat.

He referred to those who grew concerned about compliance with COVID protocols at the dance as “the woke mob.”

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Pilgrim High School students return after death of principal