By Salma Zaghari, Current Staff Writer
As more and more counties went back to online learning amid the recent Omicron surge, Howard County maintained in-person students, which has sparked diverse opinions on this decision. While online learning was great for some, it was challenging for others. Online learning allowed students to create their own schedules and be more organized, however it came with its downsides. Many students say they developed stress throughout their schooling.
Junior Bushra El-Bedawi said that “online school was better, we got to create our own schedules and it was less stressful, with everything going on and the new variants I am worried for my family, I would literally hate to see anyone get sick, especially my parents. Howard county needs to go online.” Student Adila Ahmed also agreed, having said, “ I think going online would be the better option in the circumstances and these situations right now, because it is better for overall safety and cases are rising every day.” Many students want to bring back online learning, feeling that it was much safer and less scarce.
Hybrid learning started in Howard County in 2021, this impacted the lives of many giving them a chance to choose how they want to learn. It is a schedule in which students partake in school through their own will, they choose the options of online or virtual. This allows for everyone to get some of what they need amidst the pandemic. Sophomore Alicia Anotny indicated that “I would prefer hybrid learning because it’s both sides of the spectrum, if you think you cannot concentrate online you can come in person, and if you don’t feel safe in the environment, and want certainty of being covid free you could be online.” She also added how everyone has their own opinion about the situation and there should be an option for all. Another student, freshman Sitara Chakkamadathil, agreed saying, “I think the problem is that we don’t have an option. Having a hybrid model fixes that problem because you get the choice of going virtual or staying in person.” Students definitely feel the need to have an online option here at River Hill high school.
Some students in Baltimore county had off school on Jan 10-11 in order for teachers to prepare for potential online learning in the future. Students liked the idea of having the two days off because it was a break from school, and they felt safer. Student Musa Kholti Yamani, a sophomore from Catonsville high school said, “I liked it because we got an extra 2 days off… and it gave the teachers a break.” He also added that it was a time for him and many other students to be able to catch up on work. Students have also added they feel that the country is doing something unlike others and that they are happy about it. Afrah Mumtaz, a sophomore at Catonsville High School agrees that “cases are going up day by day and I would be more comfortable with a bit more time off, but for right now I am still happy the county is doing something to help, and after those two days I was definitely more comfortable with coming into school. However I hope to see some more Covid-19 guidelines being followed in the future for the safety of everyone.”
During January alone Howard county has taken in over 13,000 Covid-19 cases, and is adding death numbers every day. Covid is definitely getting hard to get control of in Howard county, if it keeps going on like this online learning will definitely be an option. For now though Howard county students still must remain in-person and wait. Make sure to protect yourselves and others from Covid-19 by wearing N95 masks, keeping a distance, and making sure to sanitize and understand your symptoms, as well as getting vaccinated. All of these safety protocols are super important in making sure this virus no longer spreads.