Having been through three quarters with the initial distance learning instructional model, CCSD started the first day of the hybrid schedule, in preparation for the first 9th and 12th grade cohorts to start Mar. 22.
Virtually, students started the day off early with their first period beginning an hour earlier at 7 a.m.
“I personally don’t like the new schedule,” sophomore Heron Yonas said. “Starting school at 7 a.m. usually isn’t a problem for me, but my body got used to 8 a.m. and the change at the end of the year is really hard for me to get used to. Honestly, I am more awake at 8 a.m. which means I am barely paying attention for like the first hour.”
Along with the earlier start, students had their first pair of 105 minute long class sessions, in addition to the second half of the day with two 30 minute sessions. Many students feel that time should be more evenly distributed amongst all the classes.
“I feel like the first two classes shouldn’t be as long as they are,” sophomore Taycee Brewer said. “We already did so much during the one hour. We had more free time which is good, but it was a little too much. In the thirty minute classes, there was barely anytime to do anything. The teacher introduced the assignment and we have to finish it on our own time.”
With no major problems occurring in Canvas like the start of the school year, the transition was much smoother and students were able to finish additional work during the break between the longer and shorter class sessions. Starting next week, students who are attending face-to-face classes will have 40 minutes to return home before the next class session begins.
“Well since it’s the first day it feels really weird and honestly I felt a bit awful about the change,” sophomore Daphne Huang said. “But I think the extra time between the first two classes and the second two classes are alright since I can do many things in the time gap.”
Teachers have also been preparing to instruct students back in a physical classroom, while also addressing students who have elected to remain in distance learning.
“Making sure there is equitable learning between students continuing with virtual and the students returning to school will be the hardest adjustment for me to make,” Automotive teacher Bertrand Potts said. “I really want students learning in-person to take advantage of the automotive shop, but I am not yet sure how I will involve the students learning from home.”
Having students in the classroom opens up new opportunities for learning, especially in program area classrooms.
“I am excited to test out new software to ultimately find a way ‘via Camera’ to give live demonstrations in the classroom and the Lab,” Potts said. “This will be way more engaging for students, and also for myself. It gets us as close as possible to the ‘hands on’ learning experience. Personally, I am excited to have at least some of my students in class. I am sure we will have some bumps in the road, but if this road leads to us all getting back to normal I want to drive the bus.”
