Classroom Chronicles
COVID in the Classroom
COVID-19 is a virus that just won’t go away. While we are making headway in lowering case numbers, the virus still infects thousands across the United States every day. Case in point, it was just announced in Boston that the Curley School in Jamaica Plain will be closed for two weeks due to a large number of COVID infections. Students and staff will remain home and conduct school remotely. This is the first closure of a school in the city since coming out of lockdown in the Spring of 2021.
At my school, two students have been diagnosed with COVID. One of the students is in my homeroom. When I heard the news, I immediately panicked. Many students sit in and around the infected student. They’ll need to be tested either by the school or at their doctor’s office. We’re almost done with the first term and the timing couldn’t have been worse. If a student has COVID, depending on the severity, they could be out of school from one day to two weeks.
The first term has been riddled with students out due to illness, family matters, and suspensions. Attendance is a huge issue. Some students have been absent because they choose to attend only when they feel like it. Administrators want students to have more voice in the classroom. I need students to be in the classroom. However, wouldn’t more talking place students in danger of catching the virus?
I have to think of my evaluation — and my health. I have a family. We’re vaccinated but COVID is a crafty critter. The virus mutates faster than a Pokemon and is more powerful than the Hulk. It has already claimed the lives of over 750,000 Americans and has infected millions. I want my students to share their thoughts and ideas, but I also don’t want to add to COVID’s body count.
I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. I’m afraid. Students are afraid. I’m also angry we’re in this situation in the first place. If the district had allowed us to reduce class size and allow more spacing in the classroom, we could have reduced COVID’s effect. Many of my students have told me that they’re not vaccinated. They’re in danger. All it takes is one student to become a super spreader. I don’t want any of my students infected. But COVID wants us all.
