HOW SCHOOL HAS CHANGED

None of us knew it at the time, but March 13, 2020 would be the last day that any Edgewood student would step foot in school for five months. A global pandemic known as COVID-19 rocked the nation and the country in February and March, and it shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, from our families to the economy. But it has had its greatest impact in one place in particular- schools. Both students and staff eventually had to return to the halls of Edgewood, but in what ways has the school changed in order to protect students and staff amid a global pandemic?

For one thing, not all students have even physically returned to Edgewood's classrooms. Before school began, every Brevard family had the choice of returning to school online versus physically. Families made this tough decision based on what form of learning would be most beneficial for their children and the family as a whole.

“My mom said she was nervous about school because the cases were going up,” said Abi Noble, 8.

Many families had to do what worked best for their situation. For some it was difficult, but for others the answer was clear. However, those who chose an online method of learning were in for a very different experience compared to last year's online school. E-learning has experienced monumental changes since the end of the 2019-2020 school year. During the final months of school last year, students received assignments from their teachers that they had to complete, but they didn't have to attend class at a specified time. This method of e-learning lacked structure and a schedule, and so it has undergone some changes to be adapted for the new school year. Now, e-learners must join Zoom or Teams meetings at the same time that they would normally have class, lending a sense of structure to the online form of learning.

E-learning isn't the only way in which the school experience has changed. Students who chose to return to school physically found that in their five-month absence the grounds had undergone some changes.

“The staff created one way halls to prevent cross breathing, all kids walk the same way to get to class which can be a pain cause it takes forever,” said Lily Shannon, 8.

While this one-way system may seem like a hassle, it creates a much safer environment for students. As far as the classrooms, desks are more spaced apart and sharing materials is not allowed. Another huge change was the implementation of a block scheduling system. Students, who previously attended seven 45-minute classes each day, have now been placed in four 90-minute classes.

“I don't like how extremely long the classes are. You’re just sitting in one place and you don't really get to move as much,” said Evelyn Munroe, 8.