Brianna Rice Dietz, Gilpin County. Simply, last week Gilpin County School students were welcomed back with masks and social distancing. Throughout all of the confusion of the world, students were prepared to go back to school. With various guidelines, it was apparent that it was going to be an unusual experience for the teachers and students. Though the school would attempt to execute it as easy as possible for students to be ready to go back and be comfortable many were still wondering how this was going to go. From the current block schedule to the mask breaks and the separation of grades during lunch this was going to be a challenge. Though the day to day experience for both the students and teachers for sure will be changed, many imagined the day would be different, but how different would it be? 

Operating from having eight hours a day with eight classes down to just four classes a day was going to be quite unconventional. The method in which it is operating is a system of black and gold days. Monday and Tuesday are both black days while Wednesdays and Thursdays were both gold days. Depending on individual classes is where you go, they are split down the middle. Four classes on Monday and Tuesday and then the other four Wednesday and Thursday. This is an adjustment from what was normally done, but it wasn’t as bad as it appeared before it happened. I have noticed that students don’t seem to dislike the arrangement, I might indeed say that some of the students prefer it. It also appears that the teachers appear to fancy it as well; it provides them more time to communicate with the students instead of being rushed. 

The school offers mask breaks, though this may seem like something that would be certainly required for an eight-hour-long day. It genuinely seems to not simply get students out of the masks, but it also gives a brain break. I have observed that the students and teachers both seem to truly appreciate this. Students have an opportunity to get outside, get the masks off, and have the ability to socialize with others from a distance without feeling too segregated. Though it would appear like something simple, it is remarkably necessary. The teachers appear to appreciate being able to be outside and take advantage of the delightful weather that is not all that usual around this season of the year in Gilpin. It is allowing for masks to be removed and for people to not feel as though the world has completely turned upside down.

Different grades are being separated at lunch, and lunch was not at all how I envisioned it would be. Originally, I assumed we were going to be in classrooms for lunch with the same people that we are with throughout the day. Though this is not how lunch is handled at all. Students are with the entirety of their class though it is not the same as usual. There are only three per table and many students choose to eat outside with teacher supervision. It is nice to be able to socialize with people that we may not have had the ability to otherwise while still maintaining a safe distance. I have observed that many students do favor eating outside when presented with the option. My best theory for this is that we have previously had to be in classes- even though we had breaks- for four hours and it is a nice alternative. I additionally have noticed that some of the teachers enjoy having the option as well. Though lunch was not what I and several others assumed, it is enormously better. 

Though I’m positive some people are still up in the air about how they feel about going back to school in this confusing time. I also believe that several are liking being able to be back in-person rather than on a computer. Both for the education and the social portion. I recognize a majority are delighted to be able to see their friends about. It may be something that doesn’t last forever-hopefully we will be there without masks someday but for now, it is not as bad as it may appear. I firmly believe that numerous are pleased about being back in-person. This is for countless reasons, but no matter all of the reasons it truly has and will be an excellent adventure.

(Originally published in the October 1, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)