INDEPENDENT DAYS

April 23, 2020

Hard-working Notre Dame parents keeping their pharmacies going and their kids learning. Also impressed with school's quick adaptability.

Courtney and Anthony Plas are parents of Notre Dame seventh-grader Reagan and ninth-grader Jackson. They're also both pharmacists who own and operate Pine Knob Pharmacy, with locations in Clarkston and Pontiac. Needless to say, given these uncertain times, it has been a particularly busy and stressful time for mom and dad.

"The first initial days of the state shutdown, Anthony and I worked 17 days straight," Courtney Plas said. "Because of that, our kids had somewhat of a crash course in survival as they were helping each other take care of their daily needs, including all of their meals, laundry, cleaning and emotional support. I believe some of the lessons in independence they've already learned during this pandemic extend way beyond that of the virtual-learning world or what any classroom could provide."

Plas also said there was no question that shutting down schools and most businesses was the right thing to do.

"We fully support the government and Notre Dame’s decision to close down school buildings for the remainder of the school year to keep our children, teachers and the entire community safe," she said. "At the time of the closure and still to this day, there is still so much we need to scientifically learn about this virus."

Self-sufficient

For Reagan and Jackson, their learning in the online world has been going well, according to their mother.

"Jackson was able to transition very smoothly and acclimate to the virtual-learning process," she said. "Reagan, on the other hand, has realized that she is most definitely a face-to-face learner, so there have been some bumps along the way. But we can say for certain, however, that she is trying her best and trying to learn what works best for her within this new platform."

Plas adds that despite such a complete disruption in their normal academic routine, her kids still embrace an essential part of a Notre Dame education.

"They haven’t forgotten the mission of the school, either, and continue to impress their father and me every day by going on walks with one another and putting uplifting notes on our neighbors’ mailboxes," she said. "They also leave Post-it notes for postal workers and other delivery personnel around the neighborhood." 

Plas said she's glad her children have become so empathetic, self-sufficient and responsible, especially as she and Anthony try to negotiate the coronavirus pandemic managing their businesses.

Human connection 

"Owning an independent pharmacy has many challenges," she said. "As we all know, there are chain pharmacies on every corner. But I think one of our greatest services as an independent is that our customers have become like family to us. We look forward to the stories they share with us. Stories about their families, their children, their successes and even their hardships. We have known many of our customers for years and enjoy talking with them when they come in." 

For now, though, there customers can't come in. Since the state's restrictions went into effect, Pine Knob Pharmacy's Clarkston location has been functioning mostly out of the drive-thru due to building management restrictions to help encourage social distancing and to create a fever-free zone. But Plas characteristically found a silver lining.

"I think this pandemic will remind us all how important human connection is and we at Pine Knob Pharmacy can’t wait to have that back at our stores," she said.

Plas need no reminder, however, of the importance of the education of her children no matter how it's delivered.

"We have been so impressed with how quickly the Notre Dame teachers embraced and adapted to virtual learning from face-to-face," she said. "Their encouraging emails and dedication to the students hasn’t gone unnoticed by our family."

For more information on enrollment and registration at Notre Dame, please visit the admissions section of our website here.

Comments or questions on this story? mkelly@ndpma.org

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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three school are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.