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Students are set to return to Encinal Jr/Sr High School this coming Monday, August 16th. Many protocols are in place to keep students safe during this fresh start. Not only are students coming back to a new and improved campus, they are also coming back to school after over a year of online instruction.
“I'm going into my sophomore year and I’m excited because I get to see people I already know like my friends, teachers and fellow classmates,” sophomore Sarad Thapa said. “I'm also going to make new friends and get to know more people and participate in sports.”
While a few students are excited to return to sports and social life, some are simply excited to be able to learn in a classroom environment rather than at home.
“I’m excited to see people in real life again and learn in an actual classroom setting,” junior Chelsea Wee said. “But also rather nervous since it’s been a while since I actually learned in person, along with adjusting to the new campus and schedule.”
Both nerves and excitement seem to be a common trait amongst students returning to campus.
“[I’m] excited but nervous just because everything and everyone is so different now,” senior Abby Franco said.
Even though the majority of the students are returning to campus, there is a small percentage of students currently enrolled in AUSD’s remote learning program. The deadline to enroll in remote learning was May of 2021.
Universal masking: As of August 11, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom mandates either vaccines or regular COVID testing for all teachers and staff. While 90.9% of Alameda ages 16 and over have their first dose of the vaccine and 78.1% are fully vaccinated, masks will continue to be required for all indoor activities, but will be optional while outdoors.
According to the AUSD’s COVID dashboard, there have been 33 positive cases district wide from September 2020 to June 2021. However, there have been 16 positive cases between July and August. Only 10% of the district’s positive cases have been at Encinal.
Testing: COVID testing is available at the Longfellow campus from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If a student or staff tests positive, there will be a modified quarantine set in place by the district.
Quarantining: Students exposed to the positive case may be able to continue to attend class in-person if they are vaccinated. If they are not vaccinated, they may be able to participate in a “modified quarantine” and continue attending school in person if:
Students who continue to attend class remain asymptomatic
Students continue to appropriately mask indoors (already required)
Students undergo testing twice weekly during the quarantine period
Social Distancing: Social distancing is no longer required indoors, and new air filters have been installed in all classrooms. The new MERV-13 air filters are set to collect pollen, aerosols and many other impurities that the previous MERV-8 air filters that were used did. Students will eat lunch outside as much as possible.
Even though most students are excited to return, there are still a few who are nervous about the COVID situation.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous about COVID and I don’t want summer to end but other than that I don’t have much of an opinion on going back in person,” senior Haarena Solomon said.
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