Show Notes
Since schools first shut down in the spring of 2020, our students have experienced things that none of us really imagined, from emergency remote teaching, social distancing, packets being sent home, Zoom classrooms, wearing masks, and an ever changing set of circumstances. The 2020-2021 school year was unlike anything we had ever seen. This school year has also been different, and while we’re never going back to 2019, things are slowly looking like they once did.
So, we thought it would be a good idea to hear directly from students on how things have evolved over the past two-plus years. What do they like? What has changed and what has stayed the same? What do they want the adults to know? To that end, we asked several students throughout the region about their experiences…learning in the pandemic.
Intro Music by Wataboi from Pixabay
Transcript
Host: Welcome to another edition of Getting to the Core. This month, we’re going to do something a little different. Rather than having guests discuss issues related to education, we are going to hear from children…the ‘core’ of our mission here at Wayne RESA.
Student Voice: So, it was like COVID came and it was like a little break because it was like a sickness and I thought we would just be in quarantine for like two weeks, but it turned out the rest of the year. So, I could never see like any of my friends and my teacher again.
Host: Since schools first shut down in the spring of 2020, our students have experienced things that none of us really imagined, from emergency remote teaching, social distancing, packets being sent home, Zoom classrooms, wearing masks, and an ever changing set of circumstances. The 2020-2021 school year was unlike anything we had ever seen. This school year has also been different, and while we’re never going back to 2019, things are slowly looking like they once did.
So, we thought it would be a good idea to hear directly from students on how things have evolved over the past two-plus years. What do they like? What has changed and what has stayed the same? What do they want the adults to know? To that end, we asked several students throughout the region about their experiences…learning in the pandemic.
How has this school year been different than last year?
Student Voices:
We've been switching from virtual to in person because of all the COVID outbreaks happening.
The school year is definitely different from last school year because we're not virtual and I feel like we're actually getting to learn stuff this year instead of just doing a whole bunch of show and tells.
I would say that like before, like all of before this pandemic started, people didn't have to wear a mask. People didn't have to worry about more people losing their lives each day and people wouldn't have to worry about like this happening. And like no one would have to worry about this.
Virtual school was really confusing because no one really knew what anyone was doing or when they should get on zoom meetings. It's definitely easier to be successful when you’re in person.
Because we have been talking through a mask and it's hard to hear.
Well, there's definitely been a lot of changes regarding busses; those have been issues at times. And then our teachers have acted differently and a lot easier for me, personally, when getting the work done in regards to tests. And it's definitely been different with masks and you know, being careful and cautious and wiping down our desks and things like that.
This school year has been different for me since last school year because one, I got to see my friends and personal stuff; and two, because it's like easier to learn and it's easier to it's easier for teachers to teach. You know what I'm saying?
Host: What's been one bright spot for you this year?
Student Voices:
Mathematics…because it's because it comes easy to me and we've been learning easier ways of doing stuff.
Getting to see all my friends.
[Parent] So your teachers are your bright spot. Why is she, why is she the bright spot?
Because she's not way too difficult, almost. And she understands us. So, it's easier to get by in class. It gives you a little motivation to do well for the teacher. And it's…she likes printing fun stuff out for us. Which is nice.
That's a tough question, butt luckily I know, I would say that like something good that happened this year is…that this has been an interesting year. It really has. And like, I have learned new things and some and sometimes the bad things, but bad things are sometimes always a good thing.
[Parent] What’s been one bright spot or a positive for you this school year?
That I can actually can go to school instead of being 50/50.
It's been so much nicer to be in person with my friends and to actually connect with them, where we can't do that online.
Host: What has been the biggest challenge with learning this year?
Student Voices:
The biggest challenge for the square is probably the masks, and how the teachers sometimes don't realize that the kids can't hear them. So, they only say things once and kids get confused.
The biggest challenge of learning is often focusing, because we have to keep our masks on and I can't just take a deep breath really easily.
We have, we're not used to being in person. We're used to being virtual now because in fourth grade we have been online. So to be in person, it's not that easy to adapt to it.
[Parent] What has been the biggest challenge with learning this year?
I know a lot of students had challenges learning whether over Zoom if they were quarantined or things like that. But I didn't really have any challenges, and I really liked how the school year was set up and the things that they did in the steps that they took to be cautious.
[Parent] What has been the biggest challenge with learning this year?
Hearing my teacher talked through the mask.
Well, if you get COVID or you're even exposed to someone with COVID, that automatically puts you out of school for at least a week, meaning that you can't learn in front of your teachers for an entire week, which sets you back quite a bit.
Host: What is one thing you wish you could tell your teacher or principal?
To move my Project Lead the Way class back so we can have more recess time.
That it will be a good year this year and hopefully that this will stop. Hopefully COVID will stop, and this will be gone, and this will be gone someday. And I believe that that this will be gone and nobody will and people that will no one will have to worry about this anymore and it has been a big experience.
I wanted to tell them that it's okay to be like strict about masks.
[Parent] What is one thing you wish you could tell your teacher or principal?
That they've been supporting me through this.
Host: Is there something new or different about the school year that you hope never changes?
Going back to virtual because I don't like doing virtual. Because it was, it was pretty hard doing virtual, if I'm just being honest, because like, you know what I'm saying, you can get distracted. And because they know you're like in your room at your home, so you could just like walk up and go get a snack and it's an easy way to get distracted.
Yes, my school, my school has started using Canvas, which is really helpful to turn in homework and get information online and it's been really helpful to do assignments this year.
I have a lot of specials and I'm learning how to do a lot of good new things that I don't know how to do. And I hope that never changes.
Because of COVID and they want less people on the hallways, I've, they've like, we don't have lockers anymore. So, we just took your backpacks with us and, it's nice to be able to have our supplies with us. And so, we don't have to forget something at our lockers or go back. And there's less commotion in the hallways, at least for me. So, I hope that that doesn't change.
Host: 10 years from now. What do you think you'll remember about this time in your life?
Student Voices:
How it's changed me as a person.
I think I’ll… the most part I remember is being in this big of a pandemic, and people, a lot of people I know are getting sick.
Probably the lunch situation It's two people for tiny little people and it's all spread out over the gymnasium and it's like in line. It kind of looks like some sort of prison thingy.
I got all A’s on my first report card this year.
I think I'll remember it as a time of trial and error and trying to work through this big problem that no one really knew how to figure out.
10 years from now…well, hopefully I'll be successful. And, you know, I look on it as a wild adventure.
Well, COVID has been a big situation and problem all across the world. So, I think I'll just remember that, and just how different school was from previous years, and, you know, the things that we did to be careful
What I would think about like in 10 years about this? What I would think is like that, like, “Man…Wow!” Like it has been a big experience, and I don't know how I got through this.
[Parent] Thank you.
Host: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Student Voice:
I think that the pandemic has had an extremely negative effect because whenever the snow piled up, we used to be able to go sledding and build snowmen and have snow day fun. Now, we have to stay inside and virtual and the closest we'll get is bringing hot cocoa on a Zoom.
[Parent] So, what's the message from you, Emma?
That even though we can go on Zoom if it's just from a snow day, we definitely should not.
[Parent] So keep those snow days sacred?
Yes.
[Parent] Thank you, sweetie.
I love you, mom.
Host: For many of us, the last two years have been incredibly difficult, stressful, and at times, simply overwhelming. We can often find hope and aspiration - and a healthy dose of honesty - in today’s youth. We hope you found something informative, as well as joyful, listening to the voices that make us laugh, tug at our heart strings, and are truly the reason we chose this profession.
