Dear Editor:

On the night of September 27th, my family got an email and then all the sudden I was quarantined. Because a student at Manitou Springs High School showed positive symptoms and the parents followed the procedures, I have to stay home until their results come back. If they are negative, I can return to school next week; but if they are positive, I will be quarantined for the next 14 days. 

The next morning was nice because I was able to sleep in. I was able to get up 10 minutes before my class and not have to pack a lunch or leave early for school. After navigating to Canvas to find the Google Meet link, I joined my first period class. A majority of my class was at home, although one student was in class alone without a substitute teacher. It was simply like being in person: we did the same things that we would in person, but I was just in my bed not a chair with plexiglass. After my first class, I went to find my second class Google Meet link and could not find it.  I emailed the teacher, who did not know any students were quarantined. Finally, she created an online video chat. She went over some simple instructions but was not prepared to teach students in class and online at the same time. This is something most teachers will struggle with when students are quarantined.   It was nice being at home. After I got my classwork done I could get a head start on homework, do laundry, and get ahead of my class work instead of behind. 

Personally, once we all return in person, I think this will be something that happens more often. A student will show symptoms, students will be quarantined until the results are back, and then they will return to school if negative. It does not seem fair to the teachers to have to plan to teach online or in class or both just with a night’s notice. Most teachers, by the time they figured out that some students were quarantined, were already in class and did not have time to change assignment due dates, send out announcements on what to do, and teach the remaining in person students. 

Sincerely,

Jack Embery