A couple of weeks ago, after the students had time to adjust to returning to in-person learning, I asked my youth group what was bugging them. When the pandemic hit, in 2020 and schools went virtual, we had a discussion about how they felt about going virtual. Some were not happy, but they all understood the need for the change. So when asking them what are some topics they want to discuss, some of the things they came up with were: returning back to in-person, the mask mandate, trusting adults, dress appropriation, self-esteem and school drama.
All are good topics and I told them we will go over them all. I will love to hear the school drama one myself. I knew what drama I saw going through middle and high school, so to hear what they are seeing (and also hearing) should be really interesting.
The following is in their own words when I asked how they felt about returning to in-person learning.
“In my opinion, I think that in person learning is cool. You get to meet new people and get the full school experience that you didn’t get virtually and that can be a very amazing thing. Most schools aren’t able to have the students six feet apart and take all the precautions that are needed, so COVID cases are still rising in the school. Though it’s great that we can get the school experience, I think safety wise, we should’ve stayed virtual. Most people would be safe and not be as much at risk of getting the virus as others with lower immune issues. Virtual schooling may be boring, but it’s definitely safer than all of the students and teachers being in the school and being at higher risk for COVID. And even though most schools require the students and teachers to wear a mask, that precaution honestly hadn’t really been doing anything. So, I personally think virtual was the best option.”
So, I then asked them what they had seen because they said, “… precaution honestly hadn’t really been doing anything. ” So, I asked what have they seen them try to do to make it safer & why do they think it is not working?
“Well, they have made it a requirement for everyone in the building to wear a mask. In all of my classes, before we leave, we have to wipe down the desks but neither one of those are working. This is because we are around a lot of people, transitioning out to the next class, and a lot of people are still getting COVID despite wearing masks and disinfecting desks. I really don’t enjoy the fact that they’re not telling us who got COVID and how many COVID cases there are in our school. I feel like that’s information I would have needed to know considering I may have had trace contact with some of them and not even know who it was who tested positive. “
The conversation has started and we, the adults, need to keep it going. Students are telling up what they are seeing and what is concerning them, why are we not listening? If we are going to try to help, then help by first asking students what we can do to help keep them safe. It’s time to stop talking for us and start advocating for them.
Motivational: Motivational – RevStefanie73
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