Pleasant Valley’s administration initially requested to delay the return of 100 percent in-person learning. However, the request was denied, leaving faculty two weeks to adapt student and teacher schedules, classroom procedures, and other safety logistics before all students are back in their buildings on Feb. 16.
Many precautions were established at the beginning of the school year that will need to be replaced for the new in-person option. The lunch dividers and seating placements will need to be altered to fit the new size of students in each lunchroom and classroom. Teachers are now wondering how their new schedules will change to fit the online students they were given at the start of the semester.
Darren Erickson, PVHS principal, detailed how the school plans to adjust schedules and balance the number of students in classrooms. “This will be a challenge we are already beginning to work through. We made changes to allow staff time dedicated to online learners, but now due to the increase in class sizes, we’ll have to eliminate this time, create new sections of courses, and move student schedules to prevent the overloading of individual rooms,” he explained.
While students, parents and teachers have yet to receive answers on how the school will run in terms of schedules and COVID-19 guidelines, the changes to the 100 percent online options have been revealed.
“The online option still exists but students will now need to live stream their courses daily. We learned a lot first semester, as well as were able to be set up to allow all staff to achieve this. We also need to provide staff tools and training to deal with two entirely different sets of students. We can no longer provide them time to do it,” shared Erickson.
Administration is hoping this change will not only alleviate the stress of teachers and allow them additional prep periods, but also keep students aligned on the same curriculum and schedule.
While the administration and staff are preparing to welcome back the majority of the student body, students are also preparing for what this return will look like.
Senior Sarah Babka welcomes the change and understands the importance of getting students back to school. “I am a little nervous about the transition period from hybrid to full time learning, but I think after a week or two it will seem normal again. I’m also looking forward to seeing people from the opposite day,” she expressed.
Senior Morgan Sorenson is not as confident in Reynold’s decision to make an in-person option. “The new bill signed by Kim Reynolds for students to go back 100% in person was, in my opinion, a questionable decision. Not only was this bill short notice, but I believe it to be dangerous,” she said. “Our school is just not big enough to safely follow covid precautions. I think that we will see a huge spike in cases if we go back 100% even if teachers receive the vaccine.”
Students and staff are expected to receive more information within the coming days regarding schedules, classroom procedures, and safety precautions to be taken by the school to ensure a safe learning environment and a successful return on Feb. 16.
shingahembe kabongo • Feb 19, 2021 at 9:29 pm
Great article, however, given that the previous system was working, iam sure many students might have considered this decision is incompetent. Nevertheless, this does give us the opportunity seeing friends and other classmates that we may have not seen due to hybrid.
Jack Dumas • Feb 19, 2021 at 9:57 am
This is a very good article. Keep them coming
Carson Albrecht • Feb 15, 2021 at 4:16 pm
I love the way you worded the article. I think the viewpoints posted can go either way. Was it a good idea to go back full in person?
Alexis Morel • Feb 5, 2021 at 5:11 pm
I’m absolutely obsessed with this article, I feel like it states the most important information and gives the reader step by step details on the choices in Kim Reynolds passing the bill. It’s very fascinating to me that I didn’t know P.V. was holing back on the 100% all in person. Personally I agree with Morgan in the spiked cases rising if we all return. Overall a very detailed and to the point article
Joey Borbeck • Feb 5, 2021 at 4:44 pm
I liked how you find both opinions on the idea of being full time back in school. It shows what PV students think when we really don’t get a choice.
Kellen Hornbuckle • Feb 5, 2021 at 1:38 pm
Really interesting article with different viewpoints from students. Very well written.
Ryan Mumey • Feb 5, 2021 at 11:35 am
Great article. I agree with both seniors sides and how it will be nice to see other friends and students that we do not get to see because of the hybrid schedule, but it still leaves students with a lot of questions about social distancing and things like that. I think it will be tough to go back to school everyday after not being in school full time for almost a year.
Sam Kowing • Feb 5, 2021 at 8:29 am
This whole thing feels so pointless, we’re halfway through the school year and the current system has been working fine, this is just increasing COVID risk for students, their families, and teachers, as well as giving the teachers a bunch of extra work when they’re already being overworked.
Emma Nelson • Feb 4, 2021 at 9:09 pm
I think this article was very useful to the students at the high school. I feel as if a lot of us are questioning how everything will work once we go back 100%. I personally am excited to go back to school, but how is this change going to affect the seniors if we have a huge spike in cases and have to go back to 100% online?