High hopes, COVID diagnosis as school starts

CVHS fully reopened on Aug. 10 for the first day of school. Many are optimistic about seeing their teachers, classmates, and coworkers in person again for the first time since COVID-19 closed the campus in March 2020. But on the second day, school officials reported a Covid diagnosis.  

“I think it’s good we are returning because online school didn’t provide the same education, and it’s better for us to interact with our peers every day,” said senior Rebeca Bejenariu.

For many students, this is the first time that they have been on campus since spring of 2020. Some students returned back to campus in April 2021 for hybrid instruction, attending on-campus half of the week and staying home on the other days. 

Students and teachers have concerns about coming back to campus due to Covid cases rising again and the new Delta variant spreading across the country. 

“It’s stressful and it’s not the best. It’s really nice to see people in the room instead of interacting with blank monitor screens. My hopes are that we feel more comfortable being back together,” said science teacher Jeffery Foster. 

A major concern with returning in-person is the risk of spreading infections, especially around people who have not been vaccinated. 

Covid infections such as the one reported on Aug. 11 require affected people to quarantine. Administration notified students and staff who may have contacted the infected person. Vaccinated individuals who come in contact with the infected person are still allowed at school but unverified people must stay home if they were unmasked when exposed.

Many precautions are in place to keep people safe such as mandatory mask wearing indoors, ventilation in classrooms, and recommended social distancing outside. Ninety percent of staff are fully vaccinated as well, said Principal Blaine Torpey.

Many students are still excited to be back on campus and feel safe with the precautions that are in place. 

“I get the opportunity to see my friends and teachers and interact and connect with my assignments and classwork. I feel safe because the staff take precautions such as enforcing mask mandates and disinfection,” said sophomore Zoey Yu. 

“I feel relatively safe. I feel like most of the people would be vaccinated here and if they aren’t, everyones wearing masks because of the mask mandate,” said senior Malik Thomas. 

by: Corinne Davidson and Megan Baldwin