Building community in a virtual school requires intentional effort, especially when students spend most of their time learning through screens. As the principal of digiTIES, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful connections can form online, but also how powerful it is when those relationships move into real, shared spaces.

Over the past few days at the annual winter Dawrah in Philadelphia, our digiTIES students who have spent months (and some years) learning together online finally met in person. Watching familiar names and pixelated video images turn into real smiles, conversations, and collaboration has been one of the most rewarding moments of the year. Those virtual connections became something deeply human and tangible. Students I’ve known only through screens, some returning and some brand new, were suddenly standing right in front of me. Fully present. Faces, voices, expressions, and personalities on full display. It was exciting, energizing, and a powerful reminder of why building community in a virtual school truly matters.

When Online Students Meet In Person: The Unexpected Shyness

One thing that always surprises me at in-person community events is how shy students are at first. These are children who have spent  months learning together online participating in class discussions, collaborating on assignments, and engaging comfortably in virtual spaces. Yet when they meet face to face, there’s often hesitation.

They pause. They observe. They’re unsure of where to stand or how to begin.

This moment of awkwardness is natural…but it’s also an opportunity.

Turning Awkward Moments into Leadership Opportunities

When I notice that hesitation, I step in to redirect attention toward something purposeful. At Dawrah, volunteering becomes the bridge.

Some students help sell snacks in the store for attendees. Others assist in the kitchen preparing hoagies. Some jump into decorating and setting up for the evening madih festivities. These shared responsibilities shift the focus away from self-consciousness and toward teamwork.

And almost immediately, something changes.

Watching Students Shine Through Service

With just a small nudge, students begin to open up. Conversations start flowing naturally. Laughter replaces silence. They communicate effortlessly in their own Gen Z rhythm and language. The barriers dissolve.

At that point, I can step back and simply watch and try to learn from them.

I see confidence grow. I see leadership emerge. I see students who moments ago were unsure now taking initiative, collaborating, and connecting with ease. These are the moments that affirm the power of service-based community building.

Why In-Person Moments Still Matter in Virtual Schooling

digiTIES is a virtual school by design, serving families across multiple regions and time zones. Online learning offers flexibility, access, and academic rigor, but experiences like this remind me that intentional in-person gatherings deepen relationships in ways technology alone cannot.

These moments ground our students. They reinforce that behind every screen name is a real person with shared values, shared purpose, and shared responsibility to the community.

A Principal’s Reflection on Community and Belonging

Watching our students find their rhythm at the winter Dawrah has been one of the highlights of this year for me. It’s a reminder that sometimes all young people need is a shared task, a little encouragement, and a space where they feel safe to be themselves.

From screens to smiles; this is what meaningful education looks like.