Student Perspectives on Returning to In-Person School*
By Adelaide Keller
By Adelaide Keller
Most of us are probably aware that last week some sixth grade students at Eastern returned to in-person learning for the first time in more than a year. I interviewed four different sixth graders on returning to in-person school and their thoughts about it.
Many students are excited to be back, and liked the experience they’ve had so far, such as Ada Ingram who said, “In person learning is really fun, and it's especially amazing because we get to actually meet people in-person from our classes. It's also a really great chance to make friends!” Cameron Lang, who went to school in-person for the first time on April 12th, had similar ideas. She said that she’s “overjoyed to finally have a chance to meet more people even though most kids are staying virtual.” Students going back get a chance to meet some of the friends they made over virtual learning in-person, and socialize with them during lunch and other times throughout the school day.
Rosie Protas, another student returning to in-person school for the first time with Week B says she is “feeling a bit nervous but overall excited.”
For those worried the new schedule will be hard to follow, don’t worry, according to Cameron, “Since the schedule is the same as it has been the entire year, it is not complicated in my mind what time to arrive and when we can leave.” Rosie agreed, when asked if her schedule seemed confusing or complicated she said, “Not really, I think I will be fine.”
For those worried that they won’t be able to find their classrooms Ada says that, “there are multiple teachers and staff constantly walking through the school and monitoring the hallways if you need help finding a class.” She brought with her the map that she got when she toured the school in the beginning of March to figure out where to go if she got confused, which is a good strategy that other students can use as well. For a virtual video tour of the school watch THIS VIDEO made by the teachers, or THIS VIDEO, produced by The Winged Weekly.
Finally, for those who are wondering how hard it is to wear a mask all day, Ada says, “for me it is difficult to wear a mask all day, because it is kind of hard to breath and it can make your face sweaty.” However, she has a strategy: “I bring an extra mask and put it in my backpack, so I have one for after lunch, and I don't have to wear the same mask all day.” When students go back to school, they should make sure to have at least one extra mask on them all times, in case theirs’ breaks or they really need to change. If a student doesn't have a spare mask, but needs a new one, don’t worry, according to the Team 7 Reopening Presentation for Students, “masks will be available at the entrance [of the school].”
However, not everybody decided to start going to school again in-person. Many students, about ⅓ of the school, opted to stay virtual. Some of these people stayed virtual because they didn’t feel it was safe enough to go back to school without a vaccine and with COVID-19 case numbers rising, but others like Elanor Lantner didn’t go back for other reasons.
Elanor said she stayed virtual because, “It's not worth it, considering my location.” Her location - like many other Humanities students, is far from the school, “about 30 minutes away by car, 40 by bus.” She also said, “getting up early, travelling all the way to Eastern with a mask on just to go onto the same Zoom calls I could do at home doesn't seem worth it.” Some people might have decided to go back so they could see friends, or get a better learning experience, but for people like Elanor, “the cons outweigh the pros”.
Most sixth graders that have returned to the building so far have seemed to like the experience. 8th graders will return on April 19th with Group 2.1, and 7th graders will be the last group of students to return to middle school, coming back on April 26th with Group 2.2. For those going back Ada says, “[don’t] worry, because there are so many people who would love to help you, and remember that this is a new experience for everyone, not just you, so you are not alone.”
Any remaining questions on the return to school can most likely be answered by THIS SLIDESHOW posted on the Eastern website about reopening timelines, Eastern’s instructional model, arrival, breakfast, classroom expectations, textbook and chromebook policies, bathroom and nurse’s office policies, lunch, dismissal, and COVID-19 precautions.
*Those who did the interviews responded via Gmail. Some quotes have been edited for spelling or grammar errors or adapted so they will make sense in the context of the article.
Interviewees
Ada Ingram - Week A, Returned on April 8th
Cameron Lang - Week B, Returned on April 12th
Elanor Lantner - Virtual
Rosie Protas - Week B, Returned on April 12th
Sources
Eastern Middle School - EMS Reopening Plans Slideshow: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/easternms/news-index/new-page-easterns-school-reopening-parent-information/
Eastern Middle School - Team 7 Reopening Presentation for Students: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JBginaKo-4MVhiAnmvaeAZCrKj-JfS1kIgCFSCy4Kgw/edit#slide=id.gcabd91e0c9_0_5
The Winged Weekly - Q&A with Principal Johnson: What Should Students Expect When We Return To In-Person School?: https://thewingedweekly.weebly.com/qa-with-principal-johnson-what-should-students-expect-when-we-return-to-in-person-school.html
Image: https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-educators-are-learning-during-pandemic
Many students are excited to be back, and liked the experience they’ve had so far, such as Ada Ingram who said, “In person learning is really fun, and it's especially amazing because we get to actually meet people in-person from our classes. It's also a really great chance to make friends!” Cameron Lang, who went to school in-person for the first time on April 12th, had similar ideas. She said that she’s “overjoyed to finally have a chance to meet more people even though most kids are staying virtual.” Students going back get a chance to meet some of the friends they made over virtual learning in-person, and socialize with them during lunch and other times throughout the school day.
Rosie Protas, another student returning to in-person school for the first time with Week B says she is “feeling a bit nervous but overall excited.”
For those worried the new schedule will be hard to follow, don’t worry, according to Cameron, “Since the schedule is the same as it has been the entire year, it is not complicated in my mind what time to arrive and when we can leave.” Rosie agreed, when asked if her schedule seemed confusing or complicated she said, “Not really, I think I will be fine.”
For those worried that they won’t be able to find their classrooms Ada says that, “there are multiple teachers and staff constantly walking through the school and monitoring the hallways if you need help finding a class.” She brought with her the map that she got when she toured the school in the beginning of March to figure out where to go if she got confused, which is a good strategy that other students can use as well. For a virtual video tour of the school watch THIS VIDEO made by the teachers, or THIS VIDEO, produced by The Winged Weekly.
Finally, for those who are wondering how hard it is to wear a mask all day, Ada says, “for me it is difficult to wear a mask all day, because it is kind of hard to breath and it can make your face sweaty.” However, she has a strategy: “I bring an extra mask and put it in my backpack, so I have one for after lunch, and I don't have to wear the same mask all day.” When students go back to school, they should make sure to have at least one extra mask on them all times, in case theirs’ breaks or they really need to change. If a student doesn't have a spare mask, but needs a new one, don’t worry, according to the Team 7 Reopening Presentation for Students, “masks will be available at the entrance [of the school].”
However, not everybody decided to start going to school again in-person. Many students, about ⅓ of the school, opted to stay virtual. Some of these people stayed virtual because they didn’t feel it was safe enough to go back to school without a vaccine and with COVID-19 case numbers rising, but others like Elanor Lantner didn’t go back for other reasons.
Elanor said she stayed virtual because, “It's not worth it, considering my location.” Her location - like many other Humanities students, is far from the school, “about 30 minutes away by car, 40 by bus.” She also said, “getting up early, travelling all the way to Eastern with a mask on just to go onto the same Zoom calls I could do at home doesn't seem worth it.” Some people might have decided to go back so they could see friends, or get a better learning experience, but for people like Elanor, “the cons outweigh the pros”.
Most sixth graders that have returned to the building so far have seemed to like the experience. 8th graders will return on April 19th with Group 2.1, and 7th graders will be the last group of students to return to middle school, coming back on April 26th with Group 2.2. For those going back Ada says, “[don’t] worry, because there are so many people who would love to help you, and remember that this is a new experience for everyone, not just you, so you are not alone.”
Any remaining questions on the return to school can most likely be answered by THIS SLIDESHOW posted on the Eastern website about reopening timelines, Eastern’s instructional model, arrival, breakfast, classroom expectations, textbook and chromebook policies, bathroom and nurse’s office policies, lunch, dismissal, and COVID-19 precautions.
*Those who did the interviews responded via Gmail. Some quotes have been edited for spelling or grammar errors or adapted so they will make sense in the context of the article.
Interviewees
Ada Ingram - Week A, Returned on April 8th
Cameron Lang - Week B, Returned on April 12th
Elanor Lantner - Virtual
Rosie Protas - Week B, Returned on April 12th
Sources
Eastern Middle School - EMS Reopening Plans Slideshow: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/easternms/news-index/new-page-easterns-school-reopening-parent-information/
Eastern Middle School - Team 7 Reopening Presentation for Students: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JBginaKo-4MVhiAnmvaeAZCrKj-JfS1kIgCFSCy4Kgw/edit#slide=id.gcabd91e0c9_0_5
The Winged Weekly - Q&A with Principal Johnson: What Should Students Expect When We Return To In-Person School?: https://thewingedweekly.weebly.com/qa-with-principal-johnson-what-should-students-expect-when-we-return-to-in-person-school.html
Image: https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-educators-are-learning-during-pandemic