As some MCPS students return to in-person learning, their decisions reflect weeks of deliberations, respective family situations, comfort/risk levels and their feelings about safety and productivity.
Many students consider the opportunity for face-to-face connection and the social aspect of returning to school as a critical factor in their decision.
“[I’m returning to the building] to connect with staff and students more … [and be] more relatable with teachers and to ensure that other students/staff in the building are not lonely,” Thomas S. Wootton High School junior James Mu said.
In addition to connecting with teachers and other students, being back in the building implements a strict schedule and may help students pay attention to class material.
“I need the structure. It’s really hard to be productive and focused in the same old place,” Albert Einstein High School sophomore Norah Lesperance said.
Sherwood High School junior Shaina Riley expressed concerns that her more interactive, hands-on classes would still use computer simulation software instead of actually constructing projects by hand, but she nonetheless maintained that she was excited to attempt learning in-person again.
“The main reason I’m going back is because I’m just not able to really focus on class or learn as well at home,” Riley said. “I think being able to go back in person where my brain associates the building with work instead of working from my room will help with that.”
However, other students decided that there were not any major differences between instruction over Zoom and in the building, or that the benefits of returning were outweighed by health risks.
“It feels pointless, and I don’t want to wake up super early or make a new routine,” Montgomery Blair High School sophomore Samantha Jaffe said.
Winston Churchill High School sophomore Lucy Chen also pointed out that by the time she was adjusted to in-person learning, AP exams and most key content learning would be over.
Students also cited concerns for their parents’ health and immunocompromised family members.
“My mom has diabetes, so if I went back to school, I would be putting her at risk for COVID, especially because RM is huge and has a large number of students and staff,” Richard Montgomery High School sophomore Katherine Beza said. “In the end, it is an unnecessary risk especially because in-person learning is basically the same as virtual learning.”
Richard Montgomery sophomore Shairee Arora also stated that she was comfortable with continuing with virtual learning and recognized that other students may not be.
“[I have a] high risk parent, especially since you’d only be going back a few times, so it doesn’t seem worth it to me,” Arora said. “I’d rather not take up a spot from someone who needs it and will just wait till September.”
Article by Avery Wang of Richard Montgomery High School
Graphic by Xiomara Choque of Montgomery College