How do Students Feel About the Schools 2021 COVID Approach?

Harborfields is starting off its second year of in-pandemic schooling. Although the coronavirus is still present,  the district's approach to it has undergone some noticeable changes. 

This year the school has taken away some of the  restrictions that were previously set in place, such as no more online schooling options, staggered exits out of classes, or tape lanes in the hallways. While many of these changes were slight and have gone unnoticed, some of the more major ones are causing a stir in the student body. 

“Last year we had to do temperature checks before we entered the building”, junior Emma Barnett pointed out, “this year I noticed they took that away, and I kind of wish they hadn’t. I felt safer knowing at least nobody in the building had a fever, myself included.” 

I think most students felt the same, and I was also taken aback to see the school wasn’t doing temperature anymore. They were quick and easy, and made a lot of people feel more secure.  

On a more upbeat note, she mentioned her relief at the desk dividers being taken down this year. “They were flimsy and they didn’t do anything”, she stated, “they made me feel so closed off from the rest of the class, and I couldn't even see through them. I’m so glad they’re gone.” 

Senior Nichole Allan seemed to share the more upbeat side of Emma's outlook. “Students feel more connected as a student body than they did separated at home last year”, she wrote in, later on stating that she thinks the district “wants to have as close to a normal year as physically possible.” 

Overall, it seems as though the students are mostly happy with the changes Harborfields made. On the other hand, it can be argued that a certain level of safety is being lost in the district's attempts to make the school year feel more normal. 

Most people still seem to feel well protected with masks and spaced out desks, even with everybody being back full time. The high school's approach to covid this year has been well-received by the student body.