How our Community is bouncing back 

Our world is changing everyday. The pandemic has really affected the way our community, and school works. Many of the stores, restaurants, and delis have lost customers and even shut down. A few students have not returned to MS 447 and have moved to schools that have fully remote as an option. Classes, curriculum, and teachers have changed because of the current state of the pandemic. Our community around the school has changed as well. Many people have moved away, or been evicted because of unemployment. 

Pack and Advisory

Pack and Advisory is one of the major factors that has changed. We asked 8th grader Olive Solfrian how school has altered during the pandemic. 

“Pack meetings,” she answered. “We didn’t have them my sixth grade year, they started when I was in 7th grade and they were on zoom.” 

Before the pandemic, there was no type of homeroom/pack. When you got to school you would just go straight to the first period. Advisory was still a thing, but it was only for one period a week. Right now, every morning, you spend 12 minutes with your pack before going to first period. 

Lunch

Lunch has changed dramatically. Everyone used to eat in the cafeteria, now because of COVID, each grade eats in the courtyard. School lunch is in sanitary bags, everyone is supposed to social distance, and teachers have to remind students to keep their masks on once they're done eating. 

Lucia Ferguson class 801 states, “ School lunch is definitely more sanitary than it used to be,” she says. “It used to be served on trays and now it is served in sanitary bags or foil plates.” 

Before the pandemic you had an option to either go to the cafeteria, the courtyard, the gym, or the quiet room when it was open. Now, the cafeteria is not an option. Even when it rains, the only option you have is to go to the auditorium or a sports club.

Classes and How You Get to Them 

Being in class is a lot different than it used to be. Currently, all the windows have to be open and there has to be an air purification system active. Everyone has to put in an effort to be socially distanced. If you want to get water you have to step out of the classroom instead of just taking a little sip in the middle of class. Masks have to be covering your nose and mouth at all times. If you need water or a mask break, you must use the hand signals before stepping out of the classroom. As of today, you go to all subjects with your class except for lunch, gym and talent. In 6th grade Gym is with one other class including yours. Talent is split up into two groups, one with the classes below 3, (ex: 601, 602, 603) and one with the classes above 3, (ex: 604, 605, 606). You will stick with your talent group throughout the whole year.  Lunch is always with your whole grade. All  other classes are with just your class. 

How our community stores have changed

A big part of our lives is going to stores, restaurants, and shops in our community. COVID has affected that alot. First of all, most stores won't admit you unless you are wearing a face mask.  Others highly recommend it but some don’t require it even if you are not fully vaccinated. Another thing is social distancing. When stores started opening again, people would put stickers on the floor where their customers would line up to checkout. This way the customers would know where to stand and how far away they should be from other people. So many stores shut down because of the lack of customers and employees due to COVID. Many restaurants didn’t have enough waiters and chefs so they had to close. A lot of  stores have lost so many customers that they had to stop their company because they weren’t making enough money. The pandemic has affected our economy and businesses so much. 

How big events have altered because of the pandemic 

Because of the pandemic, sports and all kinds of performances were delayed. The Barclays Center is very close to our school. Before the pandemic, the Brooklyn Nets would play their games at the Barclays Center. Because of COVID, the season was canceled and they had to stop playing. Now that everything is on track with vaccinations, basketball has started up again at the Barclays center. When you go to basketball games or any kinds of performances, you have to be vaccinated to get in. If you are not eligible to be vaccinated you are allowed in but must wear a mask. One big thing that happened this year in Brooklyn was the Atlantic Antic. This street fair was totally COVID safe because it was all outdoors. Atlantic Antic was cancelled in 2020 due to this being in the midst of the pandemic. This year, the Atlantic Antic felt almost normal. There were many shops and restaurant pop ups, people were walking around enjoying themselves,  and there was live music everywhere.

Our community changes every day, these are only a few examples.  School and the society around it has a big impact on our lives, that is why it is important to learn more about it. COVID has hit the world very hard, and it will probably never be the same again. Our community was struggling at first, but when everyone comes together it makes a difference. When making choices about the pandemic, just remember that your choice affects everyone and not just you.