HOBBIES FROM HOME

Almost nobody spent their 2020 summer the way they expected. All across the country and the world, people have had to adapt their way of life in order to stay safe. Now, after several months of quarantine, schools are back in session, businesses are slowly starting to re-open, and the community is coming back to life. Brevard County was certainly not exempt from the impact of the pandemic- sports teams withheld practices and games, clubs and classes canceled competitions, and everyone was encouraged to stay home. But did that stop Edgewood students and teachers from having fun, helping others, and learning? Absolutely not.

Gabe Clark, 10, has been attending the Suntree United Methodist Church since he moved here seven years ago. Recently, his church has been having trouble meeting the CDC guidelines during their services. Clark, along with a large team of volunteers, has been helping to broadcast the service online weekly. They help the church members find the meeting, help set up the video, and have a special service for anyone having trouble with technology.

“We had to implement a tech program which actually took a lot of money. We used to have an empty room that's now filled to the brim with computers, wires, a giant TV,” Clark said. “We are certainly doing our best to continue to aid the community around us.”

“Because of students being e-learners, a portion of each of my classes is online. The kids in class can’t see the students who are online because of laws that have been set up for online teaching and classes,” Waterman says. “So I have to problem solve: how can I still have my standards met, yet have the students perform?”

That’s the question he, and many other teachers like him, have been struggling to answer. To combat this, Waterman has to communicate to two different sets of kids in two different ways, at the same time. It’d be a lot to get used to for anybody. But that's not the only issue. With the introduction of brand new technology, he has had to learn how to use every aspect of multiple platforms.

“We’re problem solving and we’ve turned into our own IT people,” he said.

Of course, Waterman tries to look at the good in every situation. He has actually enjoyed some of the ways in which quarantine has changed school life. Having everything online means less printing paper, less wasting time waiting for the copier, and an easier way to access scripts. He’s been taking a break, reevaluating how he utilizes technology to aid the theatre department.

“It makes you have that appreciation for what’s really important to you,” Waterman said.

Edgewood sports teams have also had to make some changes to ensure safety. The Edgewood Swim Team is still going strong during these times, according to Hayden Dunton, 8. They’ve been following CDC guidelines and spacing out to give everyone enough room during practice.

“Checking people's temperatures before they are allowed in the pool area is definitely a good thing. So is having everyone five to six feet apart from each other,” Dunton said.

While the summer of 2020 may not have been what any of us expected, the break gave many students the opportunity to work to better themselves and their surroundings. Summer camps, sports games, and summer travel may have been compromised, but a lot of good can arise from these unfortunate circumstances. All in all, Edgewood students and teachers have learned how to cope with quarantine by staying active and working to help their local community.