By Grahm Reynolds and Sushant Kunwar
Branford High School plans to return to in-person learning next month, as more details emerge about the pending change that will impact the daily learning environment at the school.
The day of reopening inches closer, and there is still a lot of uncertainty about how multiple aspects of school life will change. Simultaneously, pressure is mounting on the Board of Education over a lack of communication and follow through.
There have been new developments with the student schedules, the most notable being that Wednesday’s are no longer asynchronous learning days. They will instead function as full days of learning. Students will return to a full five-day school week starting April 5.
“I’m slightly frustrated and disappointed with the omission of virtual Wednesday’s,” says Junior Alex Sweeney. “Those were crucial days for me to stay on track with my work and get a small break during the hectic weeks.”
This sentiment is shared by other students in the high school.
“Wednesday’s should stay the way they are because they give the students some time to destress from their workload,” says Junior Louis Brodsky.
Additionally, rules are changing regarding extra curricular activities. Starting March 27, students in BHS or WIS who have opted to be part of the virtual learning model can participate in athletics and co-curricular activities.
“To support families who want their children to have the social and emotional benefits of such activities, the District will allow students who are exercising the option for voluntary remote learning to participate in athletics and co-curricular activities as we return to full in-person schooling,” said Principal Lee Panagoulious.
In the new schedule, A and B days will be taken in pairs. For example, during the week of the 5th, Monday and Tuesday will be days A1 and A2 respectively. Wednesday and Thursday will be days B1 and B2, with Friday as A1 again. Therefore, the following Monday will be day A2. Gone is the system of having A and B weeks.
Branford High School has already started to make accommodations for the new influx of students in the coming month. In each classroom more desks are being added to allow for greater in-class participation. The distancing requirement had been pushed down to “3 feet or less”, which still raises questions among students and teachers.
The timing for buses have also been pushed ahead to allow for student arrival at 7:25. The dismissal procedure remains the same: Students going on buses will be dismissed at 2:15 and the remaining students are dismissed at 2:25.
Despite all of these changes, one thing remains relatively the same – lunches will be kept in three separate waves in three separate locations. This raises many concerns from members of the BHS community over how social distancing will be handled, especially during a time when people are not wearing their masks. It is not entirely clear how social distancing rules will be enforced in the lunch areas with more students.
“[Lunches] are probably my biggest concerns,” said a parent during a recent Board of Education meeting. “Lunches with masks off, have been found to be more than 80% of transmissions from non-household members.”
Despite coming up with a plan to return in response to outcry from the school community, school officials still fell into the crosshairs of concerned parents at the latest Board of Education meeting.
“The Board does not care about what they say…a monthly meeting isn’t enough to allow for the community to voice their concerns,” said one parent at the meeting. “I’m disappointed…I know you guys are smart people and you know this. I can lawyer up and prove it to you, trust me,” said another parent at the meeting.
There is bound to be more information and developments, in the final week before reopening. Stay up to date with new information with the Branford Buzz!
