Hybrid Learning: A Stride Towards "Normal," or a Reckless Sprint?

Many students and teachers are excited to return to in-person hybrid learning tomorrow, while others rather wait until after Spring break or don’t see the point with the school year ending so soon.

Ms. Makiko Swartout, teacher of Japanese language courses, says that considering that not all educators are fully vaccinated, it is not the right time to go back. “I don’t understand why now,” she says. “We could have waited a couple more weeks, especially [since] we have spring break so soon.” (Makiko Swartout, Staff)

Students who opt for in-person learning will be using the hybrid model and attend classes two days a week. All students have been divided into three different attendance groups: cohorts A, cohort B, and cohort C.

Students can request to be changed into cohort C, which remains in distance learning full time. Students are not allowed to switch to cohort B from A or vise-versa. Cohort A attends in-person school on Mondays and Tuesdays for three hours in the morning, while cohort B attends in-person on Thursday and Friday in the morning. When cohort A and B will not be in-person, they will have classes the second half of the day, beginning in the afternoon. There is no maximum number of students that can be in an in-person class as long as their desks are social distanced six feet. For all cohorts, there are no Zoom or in-person classes on Wednesdays, but homework/activities will be assigned asynchronously. For cafeteria lunches students can do curbside pick up Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-10:00 AM. At the end of in-person classes, students from cohorts A and B are able to grab their lunches and must immediately leave campus at 10:55 AM-12:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Ms. Sara Chrisman, health teacher, mirrors her peers’ uncertainty. “I don’t think we will know until history writes about the pandemic events whether any decision was the right one or not… For me and many students who have reached out to me over the course of a year, the small things will be more appreciated, health is more a priority now than ever before regardless of what academic grades, goals, or hardships you’ve experienced.” (Sara Chrisman, Staff)

She is hopeful that in-person hybrid learning will help with healing those affected and will be a pause from being on screens and seclusion.

Night custodian Mark Evans said, “I am all for us going back... we have been out for too long.” (Mark Evans, Staff)

Students are permitted to bring backpacks and their own personal school materials, including their own laptops. Teachers are encouraged to have all windows open when classes are in session, desks must be spaced out to socially distance six feet, and they are allowed to hand out worksheets/assignments. Everyone on campus will be required to wear masks. Water fountains that can be touched will not be able to be used; there will be touchless hand washing areas and ways to fill water bottles. Bathrooms will be open and will be cleaned multiple times daily.

Some students agree with these limitations. However, junior Michael Kopitske says, “I understand the masks and I’ve always worn a mask, but in terms of the ‘no touching’ and ‘no seeing friends’ and ‘absolutely no lunch,’ if I’m being honest, I think those are useless. These kids, including myself, that are going back to school are choosing to go back to school with the biggest reason being to see people again.” (Michael Kopitske, Junior)

Freshman Class President Grace Givens doesn’t mind the precautions that have to be taken and is eager to use her leadership role through hybrid learning. “I think I could be someone people could talk to if they feel something isn’t right.” (Grace Givens, Freshman) Givens describes herself as a social person and is ready to be able to somewhat socialize in-person, but is also concerned about taking tests in-person. She believes that some students will fail as a result of not paying attention in class with online learning and will have to “re-learn” topics.

Sophomore Cody Fusfeld is choosing to continue with distance learning for the remainder of the year. He says, “For the majority of people, I just don’t see it as worth it, we only have around 60 days left of school and to go back right now, with even shorter classes, doesn’t seem like the best idea.” He agrees with needing to wear masks since “almost all of the students attending BV aren’t vaccinated.” (Cody Fusfeld, Sophomore)

Senior Anthony Lam, described pre-pandemic he had a high GPA but with online learning, his grades are lowering as well as his mental health. He will be going back in-person but realizes the risk and plans to double mask. “I think dividing the students into different cohorts and enforcing masks is close to the best we can do with returning to school at this point.” (Anthony Lam, Senior)

Senior Priya Shah is another student opting for hybrid learning. She believes that students with at-risk family members should take the opportunity to stay home. “I’ve honestly gotten used to being by myself,” she says, “But I know that I have to start being around people again for my mental health.” Shah also says that she worries about there being an increase in numbers of COVID-19 though she thinks “it’s worth it to go back.” (Priya Shah, Senior)

Teachers, staff, students, parents and the community of Sacramento will soon know whether it was a smart or reckless decision to return to school part-time.