Covid safety guidelines work efficiently, students say
Seventh-grader Anthony Muse works on his computer at a socially distanced desk
Students of Rachel Carson feel new Covid-19 restrictions put into place by schools since March 2021 have been efficient at keeping them safe. Restrictions have evolved since the reopening of school. This is due to the CDC, who have changed their guidelines as time passed.
The time in between classes has increased from five to ten minutes this year, due to the one way hallways and the students online.
Alexa Gilbert, an eighth-grader at RCMS, believes that the ten minute transitions between classes is efficient, especially if you manage your time well.
Alexa said, “It is more difficult when you are coming from the trailers, because you are more disconnected from the school.”
Jackson Mika, an eighth-grader at RCMS, feels a different way about this. He believes RCMS could decrease the time in between classes to eight minutes.
Since students have begun to come into the building four days a week, RCMS has made spacing between desks in classrooms three feet.
Avery DeKoven, an eighth-grader at RCMS, said, “Even though the desks have gotten closer, from six to three feet, I still feel safe, because everyone is wearing their mask correctly with the windows open occasionally.”
Along with keeping hallways one way, RCMS has students social distance in the hallways.
Many students said hallways have been the hardest restriction to follow. Avery thinks students have trouble with this restriction, because they want to socialize with their friends in the halls.
“Nothing has been that bad. If I had to choose one, the distancing in the hallways has been the hardest,” said Jackson.
People wearing masks is nothing new. At RCMS, masks have been required to be worn by students above the nose at all times, except in the cafeteria. Students said they have witnessed other students breaking this rule on a regular basis.
“Sometimes I see people with masks below their nose,” said Alexa, “and teachers say nothing about it.”
As students continue to transition from computers to classrooms, schools need these protocols to keep students safe.
