After a full year of virtual learning, all GUSD, Glendale Unified School District, schools are returning to in-person studies. COVID-19 has really been a pain to many students, teachers, and staff, however, all schools, including Rosemont Middle School, are now getting rid of distance learning and are ready to kick off the new school year.
The first day of school was on August 18, for all district schools. School started at 9:28 a.m. so that students could take their time in the morning, not having to rush for the first day of school. This year, the district created a special schedule that was also used during the online learning time. The block schedule this year splits up classes into odd and even days. Furthermore, a new arrangement they added was a seventh period.
Before the first day of school, both seventh and eighth-grade students received a Howdy Day; a day when students can familiarize themselves with the campus and their classes beforehand, so they are not lost. Plus, it is time for the middle school students to receive their textbooks, P.E. clothes, and meet new friends. Usually, only seventh graders have a day like this, but because eighth-graders did their first year online, they got a special chance to do so as well. Staff members split the students into two groups, using last names so that there were fewer people. Prior to students and parents coming in, the teachers took everyone’s temperature to ensure safety. The event was successful, and no one has been reported to have gotten COVID-19.
To prevent the coronavirus from spreading, Rosemont Middle School is following exactly what the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has asked. The first thing students must do before coming to school is to complete an online survey. It asks whether they had any symptoms the night before or if they tested positive for COVID-19. Next, they must show the staff the QR Code that was given after taking the short questionnaire. Also, masks are required in any inside facility, but are optional outside, like at lunch. However, the most important action that students are taking is getting the vaccine. Though kids under eleven are unable to do so, all students in middle school and high school have a chance to keep themselves, their families, and friends around them safe.
A parent who sent both of his children to school, JooSang Park, explains, “I felt concerned, worried, anxious to the infinite level. It cannot be perfectly safe anyway, so every student and faculty member must be careful for themselves and for others.” Just like Park said, it is important that all students be very cautious at school. However, Rosemont Middle School is striving to have in-person learning all year by keeping all students safe.
Christina Park, 8th Grade
Rosemont Middle School
