And We're Off

“None of it is a good thing, but we have to find the silver linings, you know,” said an unnamed junior. With new regulations being implemented nationwide, Rowland Hall has had to make a number of adaptations in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year. You have certainly noticed a few of these precautions, including the green stickers plastered almost everywhere around the school, the mask requirement, teachers pestering us about social distancing, eating outside, COVID screening, and everything else you can think of. Whether you have had COVID yourself, or gotten scolded by Mr. Geoxavier for not social distancing, we have all been feeling the effects of these restrictions, and we are in for an interesting, but hopefully safe, year.

Even though the start of the year was being planned all summer, the first day of school was undoubtedly rough. It was a “whirlwind of uncertainty,” as Upper School Principal Ingrid Gustavson puts it.

Initially, RH parents were required to confirm their child's health through an addition to the Veracross portal. This health screening was done through the “Magnus App” but was quickly discarded after a tumultuous start. It was a “less than stellar launch” of the new app, as the new head of school, Mick Gee, told parents in an email on August 26th. This problem was largely superficial, however, as RH staff were quick to staff manual screening stations at the main entrance to the building. After having been questioned and their temperatures taken at the main entrance, RH students were then ordered to either stay outside or proceed directly to the Larimer Center.

“The first day wasn’t incredible for sure,” says William Cuningham regarding the new procedures, “we should know that these things weren’t made to be frustrating, so we'll just have to be patient.”

Currently, anyone participating in a fall sport has had to make a number of adaptations including mask regulations. Many competitions have also had to be drastically altered or cancelled altogether. The cross country team, for example, has about half as many meets, and spectators are seldom allowed on the course to cheer. While this is just one example, schools around the country have had to make changes to the way sports and other events are held. While the regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have all been implemented to protect the students, athletes are left wondering how to participate in their beloved sports.

While coronavirus has impacted us in many ways, mother nature seems to be particularly upset with Salt Lake City, battering the school with a violent windstorm. One student's car was even crushed by a falling tree (yes, the student escaped unscathed).

Mick Gee was able to efficiently shuttle students into the gymnasium for lunch. It seems that even beyond COVID adaptations, Mick Gee has demonstrated steadfast leadership and adaptatory skills. As the school year continues, it will be interesting to see how he will do as he will surely be tested during this unstable year.

Right now we all have more questions than answers about the future, but we are going to have to push through, and above all, stay smart about COVID prevention. If we let down our guard, there's no telling how long this could last, and I can assure you that I do not want to have to wear a mask for the entirety of my senior year.