Wayne Hills Plans for Online Schooling Until After Spring Break
March 14, 2020
As we begin online schooling, many people have questions about how online schools will function. There are tons of things students need to be aware of and be responsible for while learning from a distance.
Some basic things to help stay organized: keep a planner of what and when new assignments are due, charge your chrome book, ask questions and, mainly, stay attentive to instructions from your teachers. A lot of online school is dictated by the students’ convenience: take advantage of that but understand the work must get done every day or you will be marked absent.
Allocate time in the day to studying and finishing assignments from teachers. Although students no longer have to physically go to school, there is still work every day to get done to continue education. Students must complete assignments because the days need to count towards the state-mandated 180 day school year.
“We’ve been heading this way for a while, and plans will definitely have to be changed and adjusted to use google classroom without in-person instruction. English classes will stay relatively the same. As anyone can: read, analyze, write. You can do that at home and you can do that here,” comments Joseph Fleissner, English elective, AP Language and Composition, and English teacher.
When completing assigned work, try to find a place beside your bed, so there is less chance of distraction and work mindset. It is going to be easy to get distracted by social media or Netflix, but it is also imperative to complete the work necessary for that day. So might as well just finish it and continue your day.
As of this writing, students will report for a half-day tomorrow, Monday, March 16. Two emergency days will follow and distance learning begins on Thursday, March 19.
“Make sure the work you are submitting is authentic. Online classes tend to more tenuous than in class or lecture-based learning. You have nothing to do all day: make it productive,” says Mr. Brian Gelalia, Health, and Gym teacher.
Another major thing to keep in mind is the amount of free time most students will now have due to the cancellation of all after school activities. Use this time wisely: AP exams are coming up in just under two months, SAT/ACT practice for juniors, or other hobbies like exercising or sports.
Experts have suggested that everyone practice social distancing, i.e. staying away from public places, large crowds and social gatherings. See related article on Coronavirus outbreak for more information.
“We are all going to have to learn together and adapt to online schooling. But I know for my classes, students must prepare for AP tests and stay on the same schedule with videos and interactive learning online, which all teachers will learn more about at the technology workshops on Friday morning. As for testing, we have already given tests and quizzes online. I think we can do it,” says Erika Sherger, AP Physics I and II teacher.
While many tips for online learning success are geared toward college students Tips for Online Learning, some of them are applicable for high school students as well.
AP classes especially take a hit to the curriculum with missing a month, however, it is imperative to keep everyone safe.
How do you feel about the decision to close schools and cancel sports and extra-curricular activities? The Patriot Press would like to hear your voice. Feel free to comment on this article.
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Maya Lozea • Mar 16, 2020 at 3:49 PM
Panic is sweeping the country (and the world), and even if schools were to stay open, it’s likely that an increase in regular absences might occur. Regardless of attendance, though, just keeping school open puts everyone there at risk. Students, teachers, janitorial staff, administration, and substitute teachers alike would be more vulnerable simply by being in a space with so many people there all at once. Most of what I’ve read recommends cancelling any gathering of more than 20 people, and considering Hills has around 1,600 students (not to mention the staff), that’s QUITE the potential for risk. With something as serious as COVID-19, it’s definitely a wise choice to close schools. While it’s an unfortunate fate for extra-curricular activities (of which many have been canceled or rescheduled), it’s a necessary precaution to take to ensure the WTPS community’s safety.
Katy Gorden • Mar 16, 2020 at 1:04 PM
I think it was a very good idea to close school and extracurricular activities and continue on with a distance learning plan. Although this is a big change, it was much needed as the outbreak of the coronavirus was becoming very severe. As for the extracurricular activities, it was important to reduce the amount of crowds students are in, but it does make it harder for sports and other groups to pick up again once we are able to return. Since technology is such a prevalent part of society, switching to distance learning is not as hard as it would be otherwise. The only process will just take getting used to, as is with any new thing.
Shane Schrader • Mar 16, 2020 at 11:55 AM
I agree to close schools but I do believe some sports should be able to have practice. An informational video I viewed about COVID-19 said that it is very hard to catch this virus outdoors. This could mean that spring sports that are played outdoors could still at least practice without the risk of catching the virus. But again, that was based on a video I saw and do not know how accurate that is. Another problem is that if one sport is allowed to practice, they would have to allow all of them to practice. I feel the situation is being taken seriously by officials and could only hope this problem gets resolved within the next few months.
Julia Ferreira • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:36 AM
To be totally honest it’s going to be hard for a lot of people to adjust to this big change. It’s going to be inconvenient and it’s going to be annoying. I know that the whole point of distance learning is so that we don’t have to risk spreading the virus, but at the same time, it is going to be hard to prep for exams and have lectures. But, I get that this is important to help stop people from getting sick as so many students have the potential to interact with a lot of other people. So I think that this a good idea at the root but it’s going to require a lot of flexibility from everyone.
James Adamo • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:33 AM
Personally, I believe that this decision to cancel physically attending school until after spring break (for the time being) is a very good idea. Although many people may see it as “overreacting” or being “too cautious”, I believe that (as the saying goes), it is better to be “safe than sorry.” I believe that if the school was not this cautious in reacting to COVID-19, there could be detrimental outcomes. This deadly disease has caused schools all around the world to be closed for an extended period of time, and the reaction of the students…. they are exhilarated. When taking into consideration the pandemic currently occurring that is killing thousands, and the students finally get a break and even though they may be quarantined for an extended period of time, these students’ reaction is that they are happy to take a break. It may be time to reevaluate the education system considering the students’ reaction to this deadly disease.
audrey • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:32 AM
I feel that this break from school is needed and will be a good experience for students. The only concern with online schooling is that students will not take schooling as serious and might not receive full instruction needed to complete a class. I think extracurricular activities being canceled has both positives and negatives. For some students, it will be a good opportunity to catch up on sleep, but some students will miss out on their sports seasons, needed practice and important games. Personally, I am looking forward to this break and the new experience it will bring
Jack Gallipoli • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:31 AM
I am for the decision to close schools and cancel sports and extracurricular activities as of now. As of now there are not many cases in Wayne, if people were allowed to gather in large groups, the Coronavirus could quickly spread. Cancelling these activities will help stop the spread as people will not come into contact with each other as much, preventing many deaths in the community.
Aron Choe • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:30 AM
I feel that school should be closed, but extracurricular activities should not be canceled. The importance of physical activity and staying in shape is vital for a healthy lifestyle. Also, since extracurricular activities are not mandatory, students can attend these activities whenever they want. Whether students feels safe or not in this corona outbreak is based upon the person. However, education is a different story. Education is mandatory so everyone has to attend school in order to satisfy the number of presents verses the number of absences. However, if someone has the virus and also has too many absences then they have no choice other than to attend school. Therefore, online schooling is necessary for safety and for fulfilling requirements. Extracurricular activities are necessary for mental and physical health but education can be productive online and satisfy both health and education requirements.
adviser • Mar 17, 2020 at 7:47 AM
But, Aron, the number of people that we should be in contact with has now dwindled from 250 to 100 to 10! Hard to have an extra-curricular with that amount of people.
Lucia Pollaro • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:30 AM
The decision to close schools and cancel all extracurricular activities, in my opinion, is a bit exaggerated. The coronavirus has not entered Passaic County, and although we must take precautions in scenarios like this, a month off is a lot. Personally, I have trouble focusing and maintaining my attention on schoolwork at home, as I have young siblings and there are many other distractions. Technology is a major distraction, with social media platforms constantly buzzing and Tik Tok. In addition, many teachers are not on the same page with the times that assignments will be due. Some teachers are saying midnight and others are saying at the end of a regular school day. I would feel better about “distant learning” if we had an assembly, and discussed all that it entails. Some positives come with the closing of the school, as I feel like I will have more time to rest and catch up on sleep.
Asher George • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:27 AM
I believe that the decision to close schools and cancel extracurriculars is for the best. Keeping these open during a pandemic only puts the health of students at risk and makes it harder to contain the outbreak. By closing schools and other public places, the virus has a lower likelihood of spreading in the community and may run its course sooner.
John Oseback • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:25 AM
I feel like the decision to close schools and cancel sports and extra-curricular activities are in the best interest of our community. With all that is going on with the coronavirus, I feel like it is important to put the safety of both the students and staff first, especially since work can still be completed online. The dangers of the coronavirus can be seen in other countries like Italy and China, and in order to not become like them, it is important that we take proper precautions like these. This is a major issue and one that can spread like wildfire if not taken seriously, so I feel like this decision of the school is essential to the well-being of the community, and I hope that during this time the crisis can be solved.
Abigail Gallup • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:25 AM
In regards to the above question, I strongly believe that social distancing and the cancellation of not only school but extracurriculars is the best option. The Coronavirus outbreak has resulted in thousands of deaths and this number will only rise as it follows a 50-day curve. The curve has yet to peak and the damage of this virus in the US has yet to be fully experienced. By canceling school the exposure rate drastically decreases and the chance of cross-contamination of the sick lessens. The canceling of extracurriculars although upsetting for seniors and the school as a whole will protect the majority against such a dangerous virus.
Arnav Garg • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:24 AM
I feel that the decision to cancel school activities was a well-informed decision, as it was made after a substantial amount of time, energy, and patience. In my opinion, the decision to cancel school activities is for the benefit of the students, faculty, staff, and administration. It will keep everyone in a safer environment with a less social gathering scene. Because illnesses such as this pandemic can be transmitted in public places, it was wise for the school to weigh the options and formulate the decision to relocate instruction on the internet.
Millie Loka • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:23 AM
I am in agreement with the schools closing because this is a newer virus to be treated and closing schools will help prevent the spread of the virus making it easier for hospitals to treat a small group of people at a time. This virus puts older people, babies, and people with compromised immune systems. Closing the schools will prevent putting those people at risk. This is a lose/lose situation though because no matter what is done, people will have a negative opinion about it. It is better to be safe than sorry.
PC • Mar 16, 2020 at 9:23 AM
I think that even though the cancellation of sports may not be as necessary as people find it to be it’s still important to stop the virus from continuing to spread and infect vulnerable victims. It’s important to take the necessary precautions, especially with after school activities that bring on large groups of people together, which is a risk in a time like this. Although, small clubs should still be able to stay open since they are relatively less prone to getting infected.