Embedded Files
By: Gabriella Lawrence
Returning to School Post Covid
As many of us know, returning to school after COVID has had an ongoing effect on our mental health. Last month, I decided to interview three CVA students to get their perspective on the impact that virtual school had on them, and how our return to in-person classes has affected them. Below are the responses I received to the given questions regarding our return to school:
What was the worst part about virtual school?
Madeline Feldman: Not being able to interact with the people around you. It’s hard to ask questions over zoom, especially since you aren’t getting the encouragement you need from everyone around you.
Canon Moreau: The lack of socialization among peers and teachers.
Student 3: Not having the motivation to get up and do the work needed to pass my classes.
How has the normality of school changed after COVID?
MF: Wearing masks every day, but I don’t mind it.
CM: There’s less stress surrounding your grades. Instead, teachers are more focused on whether you complete an assignment, not necessarily how accurate the work is.
S3: There are just a lot more regulations, like wearing a mask.
Has your mental health changed positively or negatively after returning to school in person?
MF: I would say it changed positively. I get to finally interact with other students and am no longer sitting at home alone all day.
CM: Mine changed positively because I’m not alone anymore.
S3: Positively, because I am no longer at home thinking about everything that I could be doing. It’s a relief to be back in school, and it's a distraction from everything going on in life.
Were you excited to return to school? Why or why not?
MF: Yes, I couldn’t wait to see all of my favorite teachers that always make my day.
CM: I was very excited to finally see all of my friends again.
S3: Yes, it was a fresh start and not as depressing as being at home all of the time. I have lots of restrictions at home, so school gives me a sense of freedom again.
What are some things that you miss about school before the pandemic?
MF: I miss being able to have parents at all of our school events.
CM: I miss not having to distance myself from everyone.
S3: I wish we didn’t have to worry about wearing a mask all of the time, but it’s not as much of a chore anymore since I’m so used to wearing them now.
Featured Students:
Madeline Feldman
Canon Moreau
Have your grades seen a positive or negative impact since returning to school?
MF: They haven’t changed much, but I am more motivated now to do my work compared to being at home, where I was constantly distracted.
CM: My grades stayed the same. I have seen a slightly negative impact because we aren’t able to look as much information up like we used to during virtual school. However, there was also a positive impact because I am learning more in class now that we are sort of forced to pay attention again.
S3: I saw a positive change in my grades. During virtual school, I was failing my classes, constantly distracted by being at home. Now I am passing all of my classes, especially since I have more support from the people around me at school.
Meet the 'Senior Class of 2022' President
Shreya Patel is this year's Senior Class President and the executive officer for the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps. She has participated in National Honor Society, and has dedicated a majority of her free time serving the community between NHS and ROTC. Patel is very present in the school community, participating in four varsity sports, eight clubs, and currently has a first-degree adult black belt in karate.
During our longer breaks, Patel has spent her time working in many pharmacies. She is a registered pharmacy technician in both New York State and Connecticut. Patel also recently became a certified EMT and is currently working towards joining the dedicated first responders at MOVAC.
On December 6, 2021, Patel received a Congressional Nomination from Claudia Tenney, bringing her one step closer to getting accepted to the United States Naval Academy. The USNA is the most prestigious military-based university in the nation, located in Annapolis, Maryland.
Once out of high school, Patel plans to earn a degree in biological engineering, with the goal of receiving a medical degree. She will use her education to serve our nation in the US Navy.
9th Grade Honors Students Explore Greece
Have you ever been to Greece? Most of us probably have not, but Ms. Ruff's ninth grade honors students recently devoted three weeks to researching Greek art, architecture, literature, gods and goddesses, and the Olympic games. As a culminating activity, students gathered in the LGI and presented their research to their peers. One group had to even present an annotated travelog describing a ten-day excursion to Greece, and all on a $10,000 dollar budget!
One of the best rewards for students on the day of presentations is that they partake in a luncheon that is catered by Symeon's Restaurant. Sometimes Symeon is even a guest speaker at this awesome event. Students worked very hard and were required to publicly speak and work collaboratively with other students, and their hard work paid off and they have truly become experts on these topics!
Page updated
Report abuse