Recent Posts
- Are You Ready for Spirit Week 2024?!?! BY ISABELLA CAROLOW
- Extra Schoolwork During Advisory??? Perspectives from Students and Teachers on SAT Prep BY SAMUEL HIERS
- Embracing Perspective: Finding Beauty in the Ordinary and Extraordinary BY SAMANTHA MIGNANELLI
- The Taylor Swift “Thing” BY KEELY SULLIVAN
- CHS Renovations BY HAZEL DUROSS
Recent Comments
- Maureen Couture on Quality Education Comes in Many Forms BY Justin Curran
- Gwen Schumacher on Quality Education Comes in Many Forms BY Justin Curran
- chakal on How to Prepare for Final Exams BY Mrs. Murgida (from CHS Guidance)
- MAJ P. on The Healthy Benefits of Music that is Surely “Pop” for the Soul! BY Samuel Hiers
- MAJ P. on Planning for a Life in the U.S. Military BY Matthew Capwell
Archives
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- June 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- May 2021
- March 2021
- May 2020
- February 2020
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- December 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- May 2017
- March 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- November 2015
- October 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- November 2014
- October 2014
Returning to “Normalcy” at CHS By Christiana Votta
It was the start of the year 2020 when the world was first overtaken by Covid. As a culture, we had to learn to adapt to the changes that came with this serious situation. It has now been over 2 ½ years since the start of covid-19, and society is still trying to find that bit of normalcy.
It was the start of the year 2020 when the world was first overtaken by Covid. As a culture, we had to learn to adapt to the changes that came with this serious situation. It has now been over 2 ½ years since the start of covid-19, and society is still trying to find that bit of normalcy. However, one of the most significant impacts it has had was on the schools, forcing them to shut down and take on online learning. While the last few school years presented multiple challenges for students and teachers, this year is finally CHS’s first ‘normal’ year. What were the struggles of both students and teachers? How did they both overcome these struggles? What are their thoughts and feelings this year?
As everyone already knows, the last several years have been everything but easy, especially for students and teachers, who have had to make the most of things because of the 2020 pandemic. I had the great opportunity of interviewing Ms. Hopkins, an English teacher at CHS, about her thoughts. Having to describe the last couple of years seems challenging, because where do you start with describing a year like 2021? What made it so challenging? Mrs. Hopkins said, “There were a lot of good things happening in the school with getting things back to normal, however, I still think it was a challenging year because we met the kids for the first time. Not seeing them face-to-face with their masks on. There were still disruptions in the year, with students being out for long periods, so I think that presented a real challenge”. She went on to say, “but I believe the school community came together and tried their best to make it the best school year that they could”.
As a Freshman last year, I can attest to the fact that the school community tried its best to make last year appear more ‘normal”. The only thing that reminded me that we were still amid a pandemic was the face masks and frequent absences of classmates and teachers. Being absent from close contact was very common. I was absent for over two weeks because of close contact. It was difficult trying to get back into the swing of things once returning to school because it felt like I had missed so much. However, many of my teachers, including Ms.Hopkins, did their absolute best trying to keep me updated on surrounding work.
We have all had our fair share of struggles, but what struggles have teachers in particular faced? Did students being absent for lengthy periods play into this? “Particular struggles I would say consist of students being out for prolonged periods due to covid or covid symptoms and trying to get people caught up”. It’s no understatement to say one of the biggest struggles last year was trying to keep students up to date with school work. It was the constant in and out of school that made it difficult for many students and teachers to adapt. This was one of the major struggles I have noticed my classmates struggled with, especially with motivation.”
Even though there were struggles last year there were many positive success stories. “Looking at students who are seniors this year who came in as freshmen having the first half of the year normal. Them being able to be part of the vibrant school culture/community…seeing their comeback this year by applying to colleges, and preparing for homecoming and events, I think that is the success story. These kids have bounced back, and are ready for a great school year.”
During a pandemic, teaching strategies are going to change based on what’s best for students. Mrs. Hopkins said, “The pandemic forced us to reconsider some of our teaching strategies, especially virtually. I will say I kept some of the things that I did during the pandemic, such as keeping the google classrooms updated and organized. I found that it was effective when kids were absent to keep them updated/on track. This does require more work from the teachers sometimes, but I do think this is a benefit.” From my personal experience having an organized agenda every day and constant updates were helpful. It made it so that I was able to keep up with all of the assignments given to me. Overall, it made my experience during the pandemic considerably better.”
Even though the last several years have presented many challenges, students and teachers at Coventry High School have pushed forward. As a community, we were able to grow and rebuild ourselves in a new way. Our sense of normalcy has changed so much since the start of Covid. Now, in 2022, we have moved on from that part of our lives. We are finally able to start a new chapter, even though the threat of Covid still lurks.