Hybrid School Model
Jasmine Wilson '22 Copy Editor
For the past year, Howard County students and teachers have been required to adapt to a virtual learning environment as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As a hybrid model approaches realization, many have mixed feelings.
On January 21st, Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent Karen Salmon called for schools to reopen, at least partially, by March 1st. If school systems and teachers failed to cooperate, the governor threatened action. In his statement, he cited measures taken in Ohio and South Carolina, among other areas: “if school systems do not immediately begin a good-faith effort to return to the classrooms, we will explore every legal avenue at our disposal.” However, there has been ample opposition to Governor Hogan’s call to action. A car rally consisting of anti-hybrid Howard County educators took place on February 16th. The Baltimore Sun reports that protestors drove from Howard High School to the Board of Education in an effort to “encourage the school board to reconsider its reopening decision.” Nevertheless, Howard County has decided to move forward with a hybrid plan beginning in March. According to the HCPSS website, the new model will separate students into four groups: Group E will begin in-person instruction on March 1st and will be in the building five days a week. Group V consists of students who opted to remain fully virtual. Groups A and B are composed of students who will return to the building one or two days a week, depending on how many students elect to remain virtual. All teachers returned to the building on February 23rd to prepare for the arrival of Group E students. It seems that the majority of students will be in Groups A, B or E- out of the 1,821 students at Howard, only 859 will be remaining virtual. In general, this is due to the difficulties of curriculum comprehension through virtual learning, a yearning for social interaction or simply boredom. “I don’t like online learning. I’d much rather sit in a classroom than in my house,” states Nicholas Yankle, a junior at Howard high school. Those who decided to remain virtual expressed health-related concerns: According to junior Samantha Cho, “I’d love to be back in school… but I am not comfortable enough to do that now, especially when most of the kids going back haven’t been vaccinated.” Howard High School staff members have varying opinions concerning the hybrid model. Mrs. Foran, who teaches 9th grade United States history, feels “apprehensive yet excited” about returning to the building. While she is excited to see people back in school, she hopes that the school system listens to those who will be most impacted, specifically teachers and administrators. “As it becomes clear that certain items, training, etc. are necessary for successful hybrid instruction, I hope the system can adapt and provide them. I think that involves really listening to the people who are doing the work every day.” |
ELLICOTT CITY, February 16th 2021 - Cars line up in the parking lot of Howard High School in preparation for the car rally. BRIAN KRISTA/BALTIMORE SUN
ELLICOTT CITY, February 16th 2021 - Protestors prepare their car for the rally by taping signs to the windows. BRIAN KRISTA/BALTIMORE SUN
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