Trying To Return To Normal

The high school and middle school will begin going to school four days a week on November 30.

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The high school classrooms will have more students beginning on November 30.

Chelsie Davis, Staff Writer

When school started school in August, students started attending two days in person and  three days virtually, or totally online. Students and teachers had to adjust to this new schedule.

Some classes are more challenging than others. 

Math teacher Kelly Stockwell said, “This (hybrid schedule) was really hard for math and I needed to come up with policies that would work best for everyone, whether you are virtual, in class, or quarantined. It’s been really stressful to be a virtual teacher and in-person teacher.”

For students, it can be stressful as well. 

 Junior Maggie Funston said, “Hybrid has been challenging for me because a lot of my classes depend heavily on in-person participation. We’ve adjusted these classes, but it’s still been difficult.”

Beginning on November 30, students will begin going to school four days a week at Windsor High School and Middle School. There are some rising challenges that will be faced and figured out as school goes or before school starts. On Monday, grades K-5 went to a four day week for students. 

Assistant principal  Dr. Rachel Montgomery said, “Providing spaces for teachers that will have large class sizes while being able to social distance their students.  Providing time for teachers that are teaching classes that are both virtual and in-seat classes.  Continue supporting (academically and social/emotional) students in both in-seat classes and virtual classes.”

Windsor High School is also known for “Owl Time,” which was an hour long lunch designed to give students extra time to eat and catch up on their school work. 

Many students were wondering what the new lunch was going to look like with social distancing and now more kids, but the administration has already found the solution. At least for this year, Owl Time will not be returning.

Montgomery said, “We will have additional tables in the new gym so that certain grade levels will eat in the commons and other grade levels will eat in the new gym.”

There are some mixed feelings about going to school four days a week rather than sticking to two. Some are excited, while others are nervous. 

Funston said, “I’m excited to be going back four days a week, but I think social distancing and masks should be more heavily enforced. With less than half the school being at school these past few months, it’s been easier to monitor these aspects, so now the responsibility will fall more heavily to each individual student.”

Many of the teachers at Windsor are concerned about the return to a four day week. 

Stockwell said, “No lie, I’m super nervous. Teaching and overall classroom procedures won’t change, so I’m not worried on that end. I’m more concerned that we are going back four days a week when we are getting in the heart of flu season, everyone is going to be in larger groups for the holidays, and the experts are saying that the next 6-12 weeks are going to be the worst for COVID-19.”