Students Return to In-Person School

By Isabel Hall and Nat James

Students cram together in the halls in the rush towards lunchtime. During the first week of school, students were still figuring out where their classes were. “The halls get crazy in between classes,” said senior Carmela Gulisano. “It makes it hard to get to class on time when there are so many people.” Photo by Devon Luce.

On August 17th, 2021, with masks on and backpacks finally full after a year of no use, Albany High students returned to school in-person. Students were feeling apprehensive about the campus fully opening again, especially with the district disregarding social distancing.

According to a recent report from the CDC, it is recommended that all students maintain three feet of physical distance. The hallways and stairwells at Albany High are consistently packed, students shoulder to shoulder with each other as they move to and from classes.

“There’s not enough room for social distancing to be effective in the first place,” said senior Shannon Poole. This reality raises many questions and concerns, given the previous 6-feet distance rule the CDC had in place at the start of the pandemic.

“Being in person with full class sizes makes it not possible to social distance,” English teacher David Blinn said. “It definitely feels less safe than being online, but I understand why returning to school is so important.”

As more research on the spread of the virus develops, people have questioned whether social distancing is truly effective. Scientists have come to the conclusion that respiratory droplets and aerosols, which are spread through coughing, sneezing, or simply breathing, are the cause of COVID transmissions. Masks are the main source of personal prevention.

Since the start of the pandemic, it has been rare to see people without a mask on the streets of Albany. For students, the mask mandate for in-person school hasn’t been much of a change. While there have been moments with students pulling masks down to drink or eat, the masks have stayed on in the classroom and in the hallways.

“I forget that I’m wearing a mask,” said freshman Emma Chiang.

“Masks didn’t really change anything that much,” freshman Rebecca Caparaz said.

With vaccination rates rising in California, students are hopeful about the in-person school year.

“Most people in high school are vaccinated or can get vaccinated, so it’s nice,” said Chiang.

Despite the difficulties that arise when coming back to school in person, both teachers and students are looking forward to what lies ahead.

“I’m excited for activities like homecoming. Hopefully we’ll have prom,” Poole says.

After a long year of online school, teachers are more than ready to see and interact with their students in person. Mr. Blinn is thrilled to finally have students get to know each other in a way that feels “authentic and organic” now that they’re back in a classroom.

“I’m excited to have class discussions again — as an English teacher, it was really hard to facilitate,” said Mr. Blinn. “A breakout room will never compare to a conversation in person.”