After a lot of preparation regarding GPHS's students return to a hybrid learning format, the time has finally come! In this informative article, Kayla Feskens shows us the schedule and the overall environment that students will face as we make our steady and cautious return to in-person learning.
Hopefully, you are aware that we are going back to school starting on Thursday, March 4th. In the hybrid schedule, students will attend in-person classes on campus 2 days a week and attend online classes 3 days a week. 1st period will begin at 8:00 am each every day; each class will be 1 hour long and then students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm. The new plan for the starting rollout of the hybrid was sent out by the district and it is as follows:
March 1st - Students continue CDL 9:00 am start time
March 2nd - Students continue CDL 9:00 am start time
March 3rd - No School- Teachers Prep for in-person learning
March 4th - ½ Freshmen attend (M/TH) 8:00 am start time for all-- all other students learn online
March 5th - ½ Freshmen attend (T/F) 8:00 am start time for all students-- all other students learn online
Once the freshmen get to know their way around campus, everyone else gets to come back.
March 8th - M/Th attend (grades 9-12) 8:00 am start time
March 9th - T/F attend (grades 9-12) 8:00 am start time
A new schedule for on-campus classes was sent out, as well. This schedule might still be adjusted, but the basic structure is that the 4 classes on student schedules will be attended consecutively. There is no sit-down breakfast or lunch, but there will be opportunities to grab breakfast and/or lunch before and after school start times.
Remember that the days that students come to school are based on the letter next to class periods on student schedules. Look in PowerSchool to see your correct in-person days. An M next to your period, causing period 1 to look like Period: 1M(A) will mean that you will go to school on Mondays and Thursdays. A T next to your period, which would look like Period: 1T(A), means that you will go to school on Tuesdays and Fridays. If this is confusing, below is an example of what it will look like. All students are online for all classes every Wednesday.
Here is the current plan for the new hybrid school schedule:
I also decided to ask some teachers and students about how they feel, just with a few questions about the generic topics about this new hybrid schooling. Student responses are anonymous, but our amazing teachers and principal have given us some direct responses about how they feel going back to school.
How do you feel about going back to school, hybrid style?
Mr. Frye: "I have to say, I am constantly impressed by how hard-working and creative my colleagues are. And I am also blessed by how my students are gracious with us teachers as we are on a big and constant learning curve, how they have been adaptable to changes, and how many students have risen to challenging times with perseverance. It [hybrid] makes things a little more complicated for planning, but it will be worth it to have real students and teachers together in class again. After all, we teachers are usually “people persons” – we got into teaching to make a difference with people, so being with people is going to be a big improvement and we are looking forward to seeing all the kids again. Well, from the nose up anyway."
Mr. Thompson: "This is an exciting first step in getting our students back in school. Of course, we wish it was every day, but even to have students here two days a week for each group is a huge step. Our staff is very ready to see students! This is the reason they got into teaching in the first place. I’ve heard from many students who are excited to come back, as well."
Mrs. Jarvis: "I’m excited, but a little nervous. It’s going to be another shift for us all (students, staff, families) among so many shifts in the last year. Like all things about being a teacher, I think I’m nervous about being able to do it well, to meet the needs of students in a way that will work for them. So, I will have lots of grace and kindness for myself and the students!"
What are you most excited for the rest of this year?
Mr. Thompson: "I’m excited to see students in the hallways, classrooms, gyms, fields, and concert halls. I’m excited to hear students talk, sing, socialize, and play instruments."
Mr. Frye: "I am hoping the whole situation keeps improving with the vaccine and other measures because I think it’s important as a community to be less isolated. I am excited to be in good face-to-face discussions with students."
Mrs. Jarvis: "I’m excited that things are looking better in terms of the pandemic. So much great science has happened so quickly. We have two viable and safe mRNA vaccines, with other vaccine candidates on the horizon. It’s exciting that there are better treatment options for folks who get sick with SARS-Cov-2, survival rates are higher, and infection rates are lower."
How do you feel about the different class schedules?
I think it's a good idea to have us split up.
The class schedules are okay and will just take time to get used to.
I feel like the schedule is good. I like that we get our classes done and go home earlier.
They are not ideal, but I think they are the best solution we have in the current situation.
What are you most excited about for the rest of this year?
I'm excited to get back into school for the in-person aspect of learning. It's what the teachers were trained for and I think it provides a better environment for learning.
I'm most excited about being able to see my friends.
I am most excited to be able to learn in person because it's just a lot easier for me and I'm also excited to see my friends.
I will get to see my friends more often, which is a plus.
I am most excited about sports for the rest of the year.
As we go back to school, remember to be patient. We have never done anything like this before and all of the teachers and staff are excited to see the students. They are trying their best to put their best foot forward and so give them grace and kindness for whatever may come. Remember your masks, distance yourself whenever possible and treat people with respect, as we have all had a hard time coming out of this. Be awesome and get ready for a great rest of this year!
