By Keara Dorvil
The Coronavirus has been a game changer for the world. It has caused grief and anger, but it has also brought the community together. About two years ago, our school closed its doors when the entire country went on lockdown. With the support of each other, the world started to recover slowly but surely.
During the lockdown, Nyack Schools used virtual learning to give students the education that they needed during hard times. As time progressed, Nyack was able to convert to a hybrid learning system in which students could come back to school in cohorts. One cohort would come into school one day while the other stayed home for virtual learning. The next day, the second cohort came in while the first stayed home, and so on.
This system was better than full virtual learning, and as close to normal as we could get, but it was still challenging. In my personal experience, I felt a little stressed due to the uncertainty of things at the time, but I was glad to see people being able to get out of their houses.
In September, the Nyack schools community returned to full in-person learning. But there is still a question that needs to be answered: How does the school provide education for those that can not come to school due to quarantine because of a COVID exposure?
To get the most accurate answer, I interviewed Nyack High School's beloved principal, Mrs. Saieva. “There are very few students in quarantine, but for the ones that are, we have created a system,” She told me. “Those students will log onto a zoom call for one live period per cycle. This way they can catch up on any work that they have missed and can ask questions about work they were confused about.”
This will not be students’ only option going forward. “We have also begun the process of organizing a second system,” said Ms. Saieva. “Students will be offered the option to enter a zoom class after school to help them with a topic they seem to be struggling with. Guidance counselors will also be available to meet with students via zoom.” [Ed. note: As of the publishing of this issue, the second system is up and running.]
With this system, students are being provided a way to learn at home because even though things may seem normal, they are not. Nyack has been known for being able to find a way to fight until the end, whether it be one of our sports programs in a game, or the student council finding a way to have an event no matter the obstacles. The Nyack staff is constantly finding new ways to support students, whether they are learning from home or in-school. They always make sure that we know Nyack is behind us through thick and thin. We are Nyack strong.