For every student this year, the first day of school looked different. For some, the first day of school was not even at school.

In order to accommodate all students during the return to school with COVID-19, Badin developed a Remote Learning Platform, where students can continue to learn without missing a beat via Zoom and Google Classroom.

Badin has seven students currently on the platform, with more potentially as we go further into the school year.

Brennyn Bell-Bucher, a junior on the Remote Learning Platform, spoke about the new learning experience.

“I attend all my classes and do all my work online, it has worked pretty well so far. A couple things needed ironing out but they were easily taken care of,” Bell-Bucher said.

Bell-Bucher has noticed the improvements in the online platform in only a few days of being online from the initial online scramble in the spring.

“It’s so much easier now. Now the teachers and administrators had time to plan the online classes. I have a lot more structure now with what I do, in the spring I think everyone can agree that there wasn’t much structure behind what we were doing, and everything was just thrown together as best as possible,” he said.

Although the junior is learning remotely, his routine hasn’t changed.

“I wake up at 6:30 every morning and go for a run and workout. I eat some breakfast and get ready for my stats Zoom call 1st period. After that I do homework or find something to pass the time until my next Zoom call or assignment,” Bell-Bucher said.

Having this option has been beneficial to all students involved, and Bell-Bucher is none different.

“I can do my homework right after I have the class which is pretty nice, I get all my stuff done very quickly so my evenings are free. I live a good distance away from Badin so not having that commute every morning is pretty nice. Everything feels more relaxed at home, there’s not as much stress as being at school,” he said.

However, it’s hard to say if the Remote Learning Platform is an upgrade over in person learning.

“I like both, under normal circumstances I like in-person, when I’m at school I get to be with my friends and get to talk to people face to face. For the actual education part I don’t notice much difference being online, I still get the same information and I learn the material just as well as being in school, I would almost say it’s better at home because I am more comfortable. The biggest thing for me is the social aspect, I feel a little left out and like I’m not really a part of the school right now, because one of the things in the contract is that I can’t go to any school events if I’m doing online which sucks. I don’t get to lift with the baseball team, I don’t get to go to SLA meetings or any other event, which I get, but it sucks,” Bell-Bucher said.

The Remote Learning Platform has provided Bell-Bucher and others with great opportunities that might not be otherwise available during these unprecedented times, but he admits he can’t wait to see everyone in person.

Bell-Bucher said, “I hope everyone is staying safe and having fun. I look forward to coming back and seeing you guys soon.”