By Bo Yun V. Brainerd
Last Wednesday, March 3, parents and students – many frustrated, some relieved – urged the Board of Education for a genuine plan of action about moving towards a return to more in-person learning. However, with the Branford COVID-19 cases increasing, administrators were hesitant to give definitive answers.
As of right now, Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez is aiming to increase in-person learning this month with a full return after April vacation.
In light of the current situation, it’s understandable that serious health measures were to be implemented as well as followed to ensure the safety of Branford’s students and faculty. Yet, such circumstances brought hundreds of elementary, intermediate, and high school students in front of a screen for their 6 hour school day.
During both the recent and previous Board of Education meeting, parents one after the other, called in expressing their anger, appreciation, displeasure, and sometimes even tearful sentiments with the lack of planning on behalf of the school district.
Parent Megan DeLucia, demonstrated her annoyance with the town’s leaders stating, “I’ve emailed several of you with no answers. We’re going on one year [and] my son is behind more than ever.” She firmly requested there must be a “clear plan” and a “full reopening by the end of March, following the vaccination of teachers.”
Quite frankly, it’s perfectly understandable the conditions which students and parents are facing while at home. In fact, there should most definitely be more consideration for the learning that occurs in each situation, especially in toxic households or even homeless circumstances. How does the school system expect not only children but also, young adults to unmute, turn cameras on, participate, maintain homework, or even utter the words “I’m okay” when really they’re not? When in reality, they’re either sitting at home with parents or siblings screaming at each other and or sitting alone in a classroom with a teacher who places the pressure of all the involvement on them.
One parent echoed those concerns: “I don’t think you have any concept of our home life. Every day is harder than the next and honestly, it’s just unpredictable.”
Hernandez spoke afterward and apologized for the lack of attention and response. “Hopefully it’ll [full in-school learning] happen but it may not happen at the speed that we would like it to. But I think we need to do it in a very deliberate and cautious way.” He even followed it by admitting where the district has “fallen short” in the “rigorous” education model they had created.
In a questionnaire interview with the newest Board Member Peter Berdon, he provided his optimistic perspective on the idea of returning to full in-person learning. “In a perfect world, that is the goal. I completely understand the frustration that exists with the hybrid model; however, to pivot to a full in-person model, the community needs to meet certain benchmarks. I look forward to receiving the administration’s, soon to be released, plan which will address the circumstances under which schools can reopen.”
Mr. Berdon, along with a few other Board members, is hopeful and open when listening to constituents’ and students’ questions or concerns regarding the future of BPS, whether that be the current schedule, the 2021-2022 school year, or even the return to sports and extracurricular activities in time for the Spring. Like Mr. Berdon said, “I am excited to see how teachers and students will be able to leverage what has been learned over the past year and innovate new educational opportunities.”
Still, despite the collective forward discussion and action regarding the year ahead, it doesn’t take away from the time lost for the class of 2021. A lot has been said about the class of 2020, so much so that the entire world sympathized with them for receiving extraordinary bad luck, but what about this year’s seniors?
Putting aside homecoming, prom, and the occasional football game, the lives of this year’s seniors have been significantly altered. How is one supposed to earn money to pay for college applications/education or apply for scholarships when their resumes aren’t completed or their job status is officially terminated? While universities have been accommodating, there is no actual solicitude.
Many seniors had to walk away from leadership positions and captains were forced to miss their final season because of simple but distressing choices: safety vs passion, health vs future, mental health vs career. There’s a universal worry amongst Branford seniors, specifically around graduating into a world enduring both a recession and a pandemic.
In a time where it’s truly risky to even step out of our houses and come in contact with other students, it’s rather saddening to think about the year we’ve all been anticipating. It’s really quite complicated when at times I wish the education system would’ve just taken a pause as our country’s situation was worsening each day. While at the same time, I wish I could’ve experienced planning my final homecoming, sitting alongside my classmates on the senior balcony, or even decorating my locker for the last time. To some, these simple yet monumental moments don’t equate to much meaning. But, it’s the aspect of having an option that is the issue and desire. Having an array of options for those who do wish to pursue full in-person schooling, or all virtual learning, or even just a senior prom is not much to ask for.
Personally, I was never able to experience a prom due to the previous and current circumstances. However, I personally don’t want to compromise my high school experience. I’ve worked beyond hard for my grades, my town, my clubs, everything. My time spent on school surpasses the definition of dedicated, so if I want the ability to have a little fun trying to relish the remaining time in my hometown, with my childhood friends, and with the lasting years I have before becoming an adult, I should be given the opportunity to do so safely- we all should.
The entire class of 2021 is eager to find solutions, determined for a chance to be heard and hungry for an actual plan. We’re more than willing to hold our own prom outside, in a socially distanced room, or even in our school’s parking lot. The ball is now in the administrators’ court, who hopefully rather than simply turn down every innovative idea, actually collaborates to accommodate the students who make up their schools.
In all, it’s no surprise that we will all eventually get there and collectively reach a safe transition back into school and normal life. Even though it doesn’t minimize or eliminate the frustration, it’s almost certain that an answer and solution will arise and a plan will be published any day now. Branford is a town of the people, by the people and for the people, and its school district will prosper once again.
Editor’s Note: Bo Yun V. Brainerd is the managing editor of the Branford Buzz and current senior at Branford High School.
