Returning to School

Around a year ago, students received what seemed like exciting news. Two weeks off from school due to an arising pandemic. Smiles on students’ faces as they hung out with friends and made plans every day. Life is great. It comes time for the two weeks to be up and the students to go back. While this was supposed to happen, the school system decided it was best to stay home. Since then, it has been decided the same way up until now. So, it gives us magnificent pleasure to announce the return of school, finally. However, there will be many rules and precautions we, as students and teachers, must follow. It will not be like the ordinary school we are used to. There will be teachers and staff making sure these rules are constantly obeyed. We have talked to Mr. Butler, Assistant Principal, and gotten the information that you and I need to know. Hopefully, we all take them seriously knowing that they are in our best interest regarding our safety.

Opinion

As the doors of the school re-opened to students on Monday, March 8^th, Cohort A was ready to be back. As a part of this first wave of students let back in the building, here are some things I am learning as I continue to be a part of the hybrid learning style. Only a few students are back in every class. I have multiple classes with 4 or 5 students in them. While I do not mind the smaller classes and it makes learning easier to be around other students, it has not given off the feeling that we are truly back in school. This might feel this way for other reasons as well. One of those being the way classes are conducted. In a select handful of classes, students attend but are still asked to login to the teams meeting and follow along there. This makes sense if teachers chose to stay home and stay risk-free of the virus that has taken over our globe over the past year. However, for those teachers that are in the classroom alongside students, I wish they would teach as if they would normally. With their microphone unmuted so that the students who are virtual or awaiting their turn to enter the building in the following week, can see and hear while those in school get taught as if they were really in school. On the other hand, those that do teach to the in-person and online class at the same time effectively have been incredibly helpful.

Mr. Butler’s Stance

Our interview with Mr. Butler was informative, and he gave valuable information that is being shared with the school. Mr. Butler did feel like it was the right decision to bring students back for hybrid learning. He felt that with all the safety precautions that are being taken, it would be all right. He did feel it was necessary to bring the students back because it gives them more freedom than they would have at home. Mr. Butler feels that students having a choice to continue with full virtual or choose hybrid is good for students and their families.

Lunch Regulations

Mr. Butler explained what type of regulations there will be for lunch. For one thing, students will have to sit 6 feet apart, at all times, during lunch. You must stay in your 3^rd or 7^th period class to eat lunch. Mr. Butler also explained that once you finish eating, you must put your mask back on immediately. It is imperative that all students and staff to follow these regulations because it will keep everyone safe.

Decision Making

Mr. Butler told us that students who choose to stay fully virtual will have the choice to contact the main office and request to go back to school. Those students must wait until the fourth quarter to go back. For students who choose hybrid, they can contact the main office as well and go back to full virtual learning at home.

Extra Details

There will be no real-life field trips this year. Teaching is still through teams because there will be students who are at home. There will be signs in the halls telling students to stay six feet apart for safety. Students are never allowed to take off their masks unless they are eating or taking a mask break.

Wrap-up

So, let’s get back into our early morning routines and get to school on time. Talk to your teachers and get to know them in person. Keep in mind that all rules should always be obeyed.

I know it sounds crazy to say in March, but happy first week of school!