OPINION: Should DJUSD return to distance learning? Pro and Con
INFOGRAPHIC: Student and staff safety should be prioritized over in person school.
By Mattias Rowenbale
BluedevilHUB.com Staff–
I have spent the last two years of my life terrified of getting COVID-19. On Jan. 7 I tested positive after being exposed at Davis High.
I wore my mask at all times, and even double masked after returning from winter break. I had received both vaccine doses as soon as I possibly could, and had my booster scheduled for Monday.
However, the constant and close contact with so many students on a daily basis at school meant that my safety precautions could only do so much. My story is not unique, as after only a week back in school after winter break, 369 students in the Davis Joint Unified School District (including 108 DHS students) have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating at home as of Jan. 11.
I believe that attending in person school places students and their families at an unnecessary risk. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Davis, the most effective way to minimize the spread amongst DJUSD students and their families would be a temporary return to virtual or hybrid classes.
“Last week there was a third of people in my classes missing,” DHS sophomore Tesla Boire said. “I don’t want to go back online, but I think that it’s the only way to stop and slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Other students agree with Boire’s sentiments. While virtual learning is not ideal for most, it is certainly safer than fully in-person classes.
As of Jan. 11, approximately one in 20 DHS students are quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19. The staggering rate of positive test results in Davis is, in part, due to the highly transmissible and contagious nature of the new Omicron variant.
“All the new variants are scary. I would feel safe even if it meant not seeing my friends because going back virtually won’t only protect me, it will also protect my friends and teachers,” senior Maddie Gonzalez said.
Despite Omicron primarily manifesting in mild cases of COVID-19, there is still a serious risk.
I have been lucky in only experiencing cold-like symptoms and being able to isolate quickly enough that my parents were not exposed. However, other students who have yet to get COVID-19, remain unvaccinated, have immunocompromised family members, or are immunocompromised themselves struggle with a very serious fear when they come to school every day.
“I honestly just don’t feel safe coming to school,” junior Aeryon Jackson said.
“I hear students and teachers talking about how they have people in their homes who have tested positive and are still coming to school. I also hear that some students are testing positive and are still attending classes,” Jackson said.
In-person school benefits student mental health and education
By Leyla Bolkan,
BluedevilHUB.com Staff–
Due to the rise of COVID-19 there is talk about going back to remote learning. Many Davis High students and staff want to stay in person.
Engaging in school over Zoom made it very difficult for both students and teachers. It students’ social skills, mental health and understanding of material.
On Dec. 21, 2021 almost all of the UC’s made the decision to switch back to remote learning for two weeks after break. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that is especially high due to people gathering and traveling during the holiday. However, schools in the Davis Joint Unified School District continued in person learning.
Some teachers believe that staying in school is vital for students’ learning. “I feel that students didn’t learn the same way as they would if we would have been in person,” Race and Social Justice teacher Kevin Williams said.
According to superintendent Matt Best, this year teachers are seeing areas where students, specifically in primary grades, have gaps in learning.
“Six and seven year olds that have never been on campus until this year don’t know how to do basic things such as stand in line, that they would have known had they been in person last year,” Best said.
A main reason as to why students and staff do not want to go online is the social aspect. Teachers felt like they were talking to nobody while lecturing on Zoom and students found it difficult to engage with virtual learning.
“Being away from classmates and that interaction, affected my mental health. When I came back to school I could see my social skills were not as good as they were before,” junior Daisy Andrade said.
Senior Tony Segal felt that school was easier however he did not learn as much. For Segal, it was hard to understand the material because of the fast pace of the course.
This year it is harder for Segal to do calculus because he sped through the course that was supposed to prepare him.
“I’m a social person, so when we shut down it was sad and depressing and going to school with other people just makes learning better,” Segal said.
Junior Brooklyn Bolnik struggled with joining Zoom meetings and engaging in school. “I think everyone learns better when they are in person and they can actually engage with the teacher,” Bolnik said.
During third period class on Jan. 7, 2022 students at DHS were handed a take home rapid COVID-19 test. Some students feel a little safer now that people have these tests.
“I’m happy they gave out the tests because a lot of our school has COVID right now,” Bolnik said.
According to Best, the tests were supposed to be distributed before winter break however there were some complications. Some schools in the state did receive them but most got them this week.
It would have been nice to have the tests a little sooner, but I think its better having them now than never,” Segal said.
In order to stay in person, students and staff must take extra precautions such as getting tested, wearing proper masks, and staying home if they do not feel well.
“Whatever it takes to keep us here I am totally for, whether that means to test, or double mask,” Williams said.
