May

FOUR DAY PLAN: HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?

by ALESSANDRA SIMMONS-ROBLES

Staff writer

On April 20th, FCPS implemented a new plan for in-person school. Students can now choose to attend school in the building full time. Following this decision, physical distancing requirements have changed, requiring only a distance of 3 feet compared to the original 6 feet. Students and staff have voiced their range of opinions on the modification.

Adapting from a full virtual schedule to two days in-person, to all four days in the building, can be difficult for some. Erica Schroeder, a Justice junior, agreed with that statement and said “Adapting to being in person was a bit hard at first and I was really tired after my first week.” However, other students have found this change has been a relatively smooth one, like sophomore Emily Rutherford. Rutherford said “It hasn’t been hard to adapt to being in person because being in person for school is exciting and feels normal.”

The safety modifications have concerned some students while others find it satisfactory. Schroeder said, “I don’t think the distance change has really affected us that much because a lot of us are still pretty careful to respect guidelines.” Rutherford agreed saying “I’m indifferent about the distance change, I feel safe in the school building and how they set up for COVID.”

Some students and teachers prefer four day in person while others favor hybrid or fully online. Rutherford prefers this new schedule over the hybrid one. “I think that 4 days a week is better than 2 days because I'm on a consistent schedule and I learn more in person.”

“I definitely think 4 days are more beneficial because you’re not changing back and forth as much so you get a really stable routine and time in person with teachers, classmates, and friends, '' said Shroeder, demonstrating a general consensus among in-person students.

The new four days in person schedule has sparked some questions and hardships, but seems to be favorable for many students going in person. Some benefits include a stable routine and more one-on-one time with school peers. “I’ve been able to stay more on top of my assignments,” Schroeder said. “The structure of my new routine is really comforting.”