The New Normal

The rising number of positive COVID cases at Homer High School are leaving students and faculty wondering whether or not another shutdown could happen.

For many students, the idea of another shutdown sounds terrible. With the few cases at Homer, already, new steps have been in order to keep everyone safe. For example, students were told that in school classes were not going to be held between the days of October 12- 25th. However, many students and teachers are having to quarantine themselves, due to exposure at the school.

One student, a senior at Homer High School, Katie Britt, is currently one of those students. She has said that: “I feel defeated that this is what it has come down to. Yet I also feel lucky, there are people in the world dying and seriously concerned about their well being, and all I'm grieving is the loss of my senior year. ”

Homer High Schools, Douglas Van Etten added: “There are a number of pieces that go into making that decision and they are constantly being reevaluated. I think a lot has been learned in the past six months as well and that plays a role in the decision making process.”

When speaking about what could lead to fully remote learning; Homer Superintendent Thomas Turck gave two scenarios, he stated, “1. If we are unable to staff a building because we have a large number of staff in quarantine… We were unable to find enough quality substitutes to continue in-person learning. 2. If the amount of community cases exceeds a state-established threshold, we will be ordered to go fully remote by the Department of Health and/or Governor Cuomo.”

When asked about what could lead to another shutdown of school, Homer Superintendent Thomas Turck added that: “The term shutdown is not one that I use anymore, as we have made the commitment to provide at home learning if we cannot be in person. Our school will not close, it will merely pivot to totally virtual if the need arises.”

In the end, surely a majority of the students at Homer High School never thought they would miss going into school. Until now, when they are not allowed into school for their and everyone's safety.