School in a Pandemic
by MG and CM -2021
There is Wealth in Health
Going to school during a pandemic is difficult, a learning curve for most, but the hard work and resilience of our staff and students have become beneficial to us all. After three months of virtual school, meeting together brings an abundance of joy but we must also remember the necessary precautions that will keep us all happy and healthy until things become normal again. Masks are the utmost essential part of keeping us safe when we are together. University of Maryland Medical System states, “Cloth face masks are effective. They create a barrier between your mouth and nose and those around you. This makes it more difficult for the droplets that spread coronavirus through coughs, sneezes, and talking to reach other people”. Along with masks, in each classroom, desks have been separated 6 feet apart, to maintain state safety regulations. When outside of the classroom, either during transfer times between classes, using the bathroom, or walking around campus, students (and staff) are asked to use designated hallway sides and staircases depending on their route in order to reduce unneeded face to face contact. On top of these necessary protocols, each student is also asked to sanitize their workspace after each class and to wash/sanitize their hands often. While everything might feel odd and take a while to get used too, we’re lucky to have such amazing staff who helps make it possible for us to be together again.
Protocol Changes- Virtual Learning Adjustment
As the new 2020-2021 school year begins at St Rose High School, there are certain precautions and changes to be made. One important change is the virtual learning rotating schedule. This schedule is a new precaution to prevent the spread of the global pandemic- COVID19. This schedule is made to only hold 75% capacity of the whole student body in St Rose each day. There are four different groups based on last names alphabetically. It is a rotating schedule, therefore, when group 1 is out the first day the other three remaining groups are present in school. The next day, group 2 is out with the other three remaining groups in school as well. This schedule continues and repeats starting with group four in the next new rotation. This new schedule is an adjustment for the student body, but is working effectively and is helping prevent the spread of COVID19.
