COVID-19 and School

During the early months of the school year, my high school had run into multiple issues. We did not attend school for the first few days of the school year because there was still ongoing construction in our building. When we did attend school the construction was still ongoing while we were in our classes and going throughout the day. Eventually, after a few weeks asbestos was found within our school which stopped all construction and school work for a period of time. For the entire month of October and half of November, we did not have a physical school building. During this time we practiced online school. We would get emails and assignments from our teachers and turn them in virtually. After the first few weeks of November, we attended school in the School District of Philadelphia’s building. I was under the impression that I would never have to do virtual school again. 

In December, January, and February the coronavirus started to spread throughout China and the rest of the world. It was something that I was aware of, but I did not believe it would get as serious as it did and so quickly. On March 13th, Friday the thirteenth, we got the news around two pm that in-person schooling was suspended indefinitely. Once again virtual school was ruling my life. Unfortunate circumstances have ripped my junior year away from me. Coronavirus truly made life difficult for not only me but everyone across the world. From April 7th to June 25th I did not leave the house for more than 5 minutes. Not seeing anyone, but my mother and my father for that long did not help my mental health in any way, shape, or form and I know my classmates can attest to that. Being a student during this time was especially difficult. This was the time when we were supposed to be writing our college essays which we had to do virtually. We also needed to learn to apply to college and we had to learn that virtually. If my school had been a less helpful and caring community I truly do believe that coronavirus would have had a large negative impact on my college process in the fall. 

Coronavirus was and still is a difficult time for everyone in the country and the world. As we navigate through it we have to keep our eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that all the students in the world handled the pandemic as best as they could, and are continuing to do so.