The leaves fall from the trees as the school bell rings. Anxious students are looking and trying to memorize their schedules in preparation for the new school year. Students dress up for their first day of school, ready to interact with friends and teachers.
But this is nothing like the typical school year.
The leaves still fall from the trees; only this can be seen through the zoom screens. The anxious students, sitting at their desks looking over their schedule, organize their zoom links for the day. Students dress up this year in sweatpants and sweatshirts, noting that there will be no interactions this year.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot about life and the way we go to school. In the Saline Area Schools district, the school board came out with a plan so that the students could potentially go back to school. In the first three weeks of the school year, students were 100 % virtual. According to the Michigan Government, schools were allowed to open if Michigan maintained stage 4 of the coronavirus plan put forth by Governor Gretchen Witmer. Fortunately, the conditions sustained at the level 4, and students were able to go back to school. At Saline Area Schools, students were given the option either to go into the hybrid version, or stay virtual. Based on their last name, those who chose the hybrid version are going to school every other day with Friday being 100% virtual and independent study for the students.
We wanted to interact safely with other students to see what they think about this school year. Please note, the interviews that were conducted were students from Saline who did not want their names used in the paper. Therefore, these will be written anonymously.
“I love it,” one student said, “being at home all day totally beats going to school every day. I am able to be more productive during the day.” Many students who are currently only virtual have stated that they have benefited from that. As they said, gives students more time for students to focus more on work and be more mentally ready for the school day.
However, there have been some students who have stated that being at home is the opposite. “I am missing my friends and my classes.” the student stated, “One person in my family is immunocompromised, and we didn't want to take any chances. It would have been too risky.” With social distancing regulations, students are not able to get together as they usually would on a normal day.
A student who has chosen the hybrid version of school states that they love it. “Never in a million years have I thought that we would be wearing masks to school,” they stated with a laugh, “but it is what it is. Life must go on. This is no High School musical, but I love that Saline gave us an option to go back to school.”
This year has been a challenge for everyone. Whether you are in hybrid or virtual this school year, remember to wear a mask, stay six feet apart, and stay positive.
We are all in this together. Welcome to the new normal for now.
Comentarios