Although not many schools in California are open, Most Montana schools are opening up. I'll be interviewing a friend who goes to a school that balances distance learning and in-person school in Montana. -June price, 6th grade
Although not many schools in California are open, Most Montana schools are opening up. I'll be interviewing a friend who goes to a school that balances distance learning and in-person school in Montana.
June Price: So, tell us about yourself. How old are you and what grade are you in?
Elijah Zimmermann: I’m a sixth-grader at the age of 12 that is currently a middle school student in Montana.
JP: And how has your school handled education during the pandemic?
EZ: Early in quarantine, it was pretty awkward. No one knew what was going on especially since I live in a pretty remote, old-fashioned place. The teachers were figuring out how to use technology, so were the kids. As we got further in and more used to it it was still pretty messy. Calls were completely optional, which left most kids confused a lot of my friends' grades dropped as did mine.
JP: What are your feelings about that?
EZ: I hated online school. It stressed me out and ruined my mental health. When it was announced we will be going back, I was elated. I would get to see my friends, and get away from my family. I’ve been stuck with them forever and was honestly done.”
JP: What precautions is your school planning to take?
EZ: We all need to wear masks. Every class will also have plexiglass barriers between desks to help stop COVID from traveling. We're also doing a block schedule, so we have three classes a day, for 100 minutes each. We would have periods 1,3, and 5 on Monday and Tuesday and periods 2,4, and 6 on Thursday and Friday. We have Wednesday off for a deep clean.
JP: There have been almost 100,000 cases in Montana. Have you known anyone who’s had a serious COVID-19 case?
EZ: My close friend's mom had COVID, and my friend and her family all got it. Her parents weren't in the best health and went to the hospital. Another man, who we knew from a ski team, got it and died from a stroke that was triggered by COVID. Our family friends, who live on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation got it and the mom of that family died. She was a nurse and left 6 kids.
JP: Are you and your family able/planning on getting the vaccine?
EZ: Our governor sent teachers to the back of the vaccine waiting list. My mom is a teacher, so she won't get it soon. My dad insists on not getting it until she does. AND we won't until after they do, so it'll probably be a while.
JP: What’s the social scene like at school and how has that been affected by social distancing?
EZ: I started middle school this year and I was relieved. I was nervous about having to interact with people, but we barely have to. Desks are six feet and so are we. We get yelled at if we aren't perfectly distanced. That with wearing a mask and not knowing what your peers' faces look like, makes it hard to befriend anyone. I've barely been able to carry some friendships through the pandemic, and making friendships in our short classes is tricky.
JP: How ‘normal’ is school when you go in real life?
EZ: It's not anything like elementary school was, and I don't think that's entirely COVID. Switching schools is hard enough, but the health restrictions worsen that.
JPe: Do you think virtual school or real-life school is better for your learning?
EZ: Definitely real-life school. You can see the teacher's faces, and ask questions personally without the entire class hearing. I feel more connected with my teachers than I was online, which makes me way more comfortable learning from them. We get more in depth explanations of things, and it's just more fun overall.
JP: How safe do you feel going to school, virus wise?
EZ: We have enough precautions that I honestly don't worry about it most of the time. I know that my parents wouldn't make me do something that wasn't safe. Sometimes I think about it when I see a kid take off his mask to sneeze (actual experience), but they'll get a talking to, their seat cleaned and a COVID test, so I'm pretty confident I am safe.
JP: What is the state’s policy around teacher vaccination?
EZ: Our teachers are not vaccinated. We recently got a new governor and he moved them to the back of the waiting list. I'm worried about some of my high-risk teachers, especially the old ones and I'm pretty annoyed that the governor did that.
JP: Overall, rate your experience in real life school from 1-10, where 10 is the best.
EZ: Um--probably 8. It's odd and not perfect, but I like it more than online.
Maybe his experience hasn’t been a dream come true, but it was certainly a big step up from his previous situation. California will open up schools and local facilities as soon as it's safe for people. Until then, stay safe and wear a mask.
June Price: So, tell us about yourself. How old are you and what grade are you in?
Elijah Zimmermann: I’m a sixth-grader at the age of 12 that is currently a middle school student in Montana.
JP: And how has your school handled education during the pandemic?
EZ: Early in quarantine, it was pretty awkward. No one knew what was going on especially since I live in a pretty remote, old-fashioned place. The teachers were figuring out how to use technology, so were the kids. As we got further in and more used to it it was still pretty messy. Calls were completely optional, which left most kids confused a lot of my friends' grades dropped as did mine.
JP: What are your feelings about that?
EZ: I hated online school. It stressed me out and ruined my mental health. When it was announced we will be going back, I was elated. I would get to see my friends, and get away from my family. I’ve been stuck with them forever and was honestly done.”
JP: What precautions is your school planning to take?
EZ: We all need to wear masks. Every class will also have plexiglass barriers between desks to help stop COVID from traveling. We're also doing a block schedule, so we have three classes a day, for 100 minutes each. We would have periods 1,3, and 5 on Monday and Tuesday and periods 2,4, and 6 on Thursday and Friday. We have Wednesday off for a deep clean.
JP: There have been almost 100,000 cases in Montana. Have you known anyone who’s had a serious COVID-19 case?
EZ: My close friend's mom had COVID, and my friend and her family all got it. Her parents weren't in the best health and went to the hospital. Another man, who we knew from a ski team, got it and died from a stroke that was triggered by COVID. Our family friends, who live on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation got it and the mom of that family died. She was a nurse and left 6 kids.
JP: Are you and your family able/planning on getting the vaccine?
EZ: Our governor sent teachers to the back of the vaccine waiting list. My mom is a teacher, so she won't get it soon. My dad insists on not getting it until she does. AND we won't until after they do, so it'll probably be a while.
JP: What’s the social scene like at school and how has that been affected by social distancing?
EZ: I started middle school this year and I was relieved. I was nervous about having to interact with people, but we barely have to. Desks are six feet and so are we. We get yelled at if we aren't perfectly distanced. That with wearing a mask and not knowing what your peers' faces look like, makes it hard to befriend anyone. I've barely been able to carry some friendships through the pandemic, and making friendships in our short classes is tricky.
JP: How ‘normal’ is school when you go in real life?
EZ: It's not anything like elementary school was, and I don't think that's entirely COVID. Switching schools is hard enough, but the health restrictions worsen that.
JPe: Do you think virtual school or real-life school is better for your learning?
EZ: Definitely real-life school. You can see the teacher's faces, and ask questions personally without the entire class hearing. I feel more connected with my teachers than I was online, which makes me way more comfortable learning from them. We get more in depth explanations of things, and it's just more fun overall.
JP: How safe do you feel going to school, virus wise?
EZ: We have enough precautions that I honestly don't worry about it most of the time. I know that my parents wouldn't make me do something that wasn't safe. Sometimes I think about it when I see a kid take off his mask to sneeze (actual experience), but they'll get a talking to, their seat cleaned and a COVID test, so I'm pretty confident I am safe.
JP: What is the state’s policy around teacher vaccination?
EZ: Our teachers are not vaccinated. We recently got a new governor and he moved them to the back of the waiting list. I'm worried about some of my high-risk teachers, especially the old ones and I'm pretty annoyed that the governor did that.
JP: Overall, rate your experience in real life school from 1-10, where 10 is the best.
EZ: Um--probably 8. It's odd and not perfect, but I like it more than online.
Maybe his experience hasn’t been a dream come true, but it was certainly a big step up from his previous situation. California will open up schools and local facilities as soon as it's safe for people. Until then, stay safe and wear a mask.
