Searcy, AR (LP) — School is in session but so is COVID-19. Many people have concerns about coming back to school and staying healthy due to the pandemic. There’s a total of about 66,000 cases of the Coronavirus in Arkansas, and about 1,000 resulting in death.
Some schools decided to go virtual, while Searcy gave the students an option. English teacher and FTA Sponsor, Mrs.Cook shares, ¨On one hand, going virtual probably would have been better because we have more control over exposure when we are all at home. Plus we would have had a known constant, rather than unknown disruptions. However, when our schools are tied so closely to economic and social concerns, it’s hard to tell people that schools will be closed. How do working parents cope? How do children who don’t have access to food or internet cope? In the end, I felt okay coming back because I knew that the local administration has done everything they can to make sure we are safe as we can be while we keep learning.” Although it’s difficult to maintain social distancing during school, they put dividers throughout the hallways to separate the students as best as possible. Searcy has also changed cafeteria procedures. Students order their food online and when it comes to getting the food, there’s separate lines depending on your last name. When you go to sit down, there can only be four students at one table and the seating stays the same for the rest of the year. Dismissal from the cafeteria and at the end of the day is different too. Students dismiss in groups at a time. There’s always room for improvement when COVID-19 pops up and they’re not prepared. Sophomore Gaby Sledge said, “The main thing I’ve seen that could use improvement is the way we have to stay in classes. Seniors can leave if it’s not a mandatory class, but if you’re an underclassman, you have to stay the whole day. For example, if you had study hall last period, you would have to stay on campus. But in reality, it would probably be safer for your health to just head home if you can drive.
It may be hard on students, parents, and teachers with all of the changes made this year. Parents with Kindergarteners may be super stressed because it’s their child’s first day of school ever and they don’t have a single clue what to do in school. But, it could be just as difficult for high school students too. Gaby says, “In my classes this year, there is much more organization on google classroom and clearer instructions online. This makes it easier to stay caught up and know exactly what’s going on in class, especially if you miss a day or have to go virtual. Most of our work is online this year and if we write anything on paper, it could have easily been worked online. Personally, I only have one small binder this year, compared to my six full binders last year!”
Teachers and administrators have a lot of pressure to keep everything running smoothly and helping us learn what we need to know. They make sure they’re keeping families updated with events happening at school, which is bare minimum due to the pandemic. Mostly any information needed is on the school website. Mrs.Cook explains, “There is definitely a lot more stress this year. We are teaching on-site and online. We have to be ready to switch to all virtual learning at the drop of a hat. We have to change the way we give information. We change the way we take grades. We can’t give hugs or high-fives. We clean the desks between classes. Teachers’ mental checklists have doubled or tripled. I don’t want that to sound like a complaint, it’s just a reality. We love our students and want to keep them safe. We have more to do this year, and in many ways, the burden is heavier.”
Remember to wear your mask and social distance for the safety of you and others!
