By Maren Ingram, Opinions Editor 

It’s been 27 weeks since March 13, that fateful day that soon became the last day of in-person school due to COVID-19. Now, with a few weeks of remote learning under our belts to kick off the 2020-21 school year, many students, parents and teachers are wondering when this will all end. 

At a special board meeting called on July 20, Dare County Schools announced that all students would be participating in remote learning for at least the first quarter, which ends Oct. 23. This decision was made after sending out parent surveys and studying different reopening plans. 

“We will have a discussion before the end of the first quarter reevaluating those reopening options, so we will know exactly what we’re going to do,” Dare County Board of Education Chair Bea Basnight said. “But right now, there is no plan to either stay remote or go back to school.” 

And none of the decisions made have been easy ones. 

“It’s important for everybody to understand the work that has gone into making decisions,” Basnight explained. “There has been a tremendous amount of work by our principals, teacher groups, administrators and other board members to really study every possibility of what we can do to educate ourselves and keep everybody healthy and safe.” 

Dare County Schools Communications Director Keith Parker explained when and where that next decision will be made. 

“The Board of Education will make the decision for DCS to return to in-person learning,” Parker said. “They have a scheduled meeting on Oct. 1 to discuss this topic, and the audio of the meeting will be available on the DCS website for the general public to view.”

Adding to the speculation and anticipation of this local decision was last week’s announcement by Gov. Roy Cooper that all students in grades K-5 would be allowed to return to their classrooms starting Oct. 5 – wearing masks, but not having to return in smaller numbers. For high school and middle school students, North Carolina’s Option B – returning to in-person learning at 50-percent capacity – remains on the table.

In response to that announcement, DCS emailed families earlier Monday about Virtual Learning options, including an application, for parents who may wish to keep their students home when and if a return to school buildings takes place.

While waiting for news about the next step, administrators are trying their best to keep students engaged in remote learning while also figuring out how to get students back in the classroom as soon as possible.

“Teachers have worked really hard to create a very good online experience, but first had to acknowledge that it cannot replace their actual classroom,” Principal Chuck Lansing said. “Students have been active and are engaged more (than in the spring), and I think that participation is a good indicator that we are better prepared now for remote learning.” 

Still, because online learning cannot replace in-person instruction, so many teachers and administrators are awaiting the day they can return to school just as many students are.

“I think we are all in a ‘wait and see’ mode and we are hopeful that restrictions continue to ease so that the transition back into the building is much easier,” Lansing said.

Lansing knows the benefits of students being in school firsthand, and realizes that for many kids, school is not just a place for instruction. 

“I hope our students know that we want what they want,” Lansing said. “We will always do everything we can to help keep them safe, but we also know that school is able to provide our kids with so much more than just instruction.” 

And it’s evident that many students are feeling the same way that teachers and administrators are during this difficult time. 

“I hope we can return to school and finish out the year. I miss all the sports and seeing my friends throughout the day,” junior Mya Salch said. “I think we should try to go back to a normal lifestyle, starting with actually being in a classroom, so the freshmen don’t miss out on the high school experience.”

Freshman Owen LaVier agreed: “I really do hope that we can go back and I can finish out my first year of high school.” 

For seniors, participating in remote learning for their final year of high school has been an unimaginable struggle. 

“It’s been difficult to come to terms with the fact that we won’t get to do any of the normal senior year things we’ve been promised since we were little,” senior Grace Thompson said. “I know most of us just don’t like to think about it too often.”

But even as much as most people would like to return to school, the dangers of COVID-19 still linger and are not to be taken lightly.

“The most beneficial plan is the one that keeps everyone safe, and although it’s not ideal, being all online is our best option at the moment,” Thompson said. “Student and staff health should be the No. 1 priority.” 

Despite difficult times, DCS officials are doing everything they can to provide every student with the best education possible while keeping everyone safe at the same time. 

“Superintendent (John) Farrelly and the Board of Education are committed to ensuring high academic standards and rigor, while ensuring to the best of our ability the safety and health of employees and students,” Parker said. 

So for now, all students can do is try their best with remote learning and hope they will be back together in the classroom soon.

“I think everybody is doing a tremendous job and I’m really proud of how we’re all working together to make it as successful as we can,” Basnight said.

What do you think? Join the conversation by commenting below! (Note: email address required to post but does not display.)

Junior Maren Ingram can be reached at 22ingramma01@daretolearn.org.