Pros and Cons of Going Back to School or Staying Online

By: Ariana Marquez

Students at Redwood High school have been given the choice on whether to go back to in-person learning or stick with online during this spring semester because there is a chance that students will be allowed back in the actual school if cases are low and students as well as teachers are able to follow safety guidelines. Watch as some of Redwood High school’s students help me weigh out the pros and cons.

Ayla Ozturk ’24 says, “I feel like it depends, with the current freshman it will be harder because they have never been on campus and will likely have to show themselves around. With the other classes, it will be easier, but still hard, they have been off campus for a long time and will have to adjust.”

Ozturk continues with, “I’m not confident that students will follow guidelines, I’ve see that a lot of students haven’t been following the CDC guidelines, it’s all over their social medias. If they aren’t following the guidelines now, it’s very unlikely that they will follow the ones for if we go back.”

Ozturk concludes her statement with, “I feel like we should just continue the rest of the year online, there isn’t really a point of going back this year. There isn’t a lot of time left in the school year so we might as well just finish it out online.  I’m more optimistic about staying online than going back in person, I think it’s the safest option and will keep students safe.”

Allyson Zamora ’22 says, “I think that it could be both. It may be difficult simply because things will have changed and we haven’t been on school campus in almost a year. It could be easier because distance learning has brought more stress and less one on one student time where some students learn better in person than in front of a screen.”

Zamora adds, “For the most part I believe that students will follow the guidelines when returning back to school because everyone is concerned of their families well being. Those that don’t take the pandemic too seriously may not follow the rules and cause danger. “

Zamora also adds, “My biggest worry with returning to school has to be my safety and my family’s. I want everyone that I interact with to be healthy and my family contains people that are big risk, it is scary to return when others may not take it seriously. “

Aidan Hatch ’22 says, “Personally, I think it’ll be harder to go back to school in person. I know that a lot of people miss socializing with their friends, but overall, I think it’ll be harder to get used to a system their not accustomed to. I’m not sure if people realize how school is going to work, or how it’s supposed to work with social distance guide lines.”

Hatch also adds, “I miss socializing with my friends too, but I’m willing to stick out three more months in order to have a slightly more normal year next year. Of course, the only reason I can say that is because I am not a senior and this isn’t my last year at Redwood. “

Hatch concludes with, “I’m optimistic about staying online. Because of my personal work ethic, I enjoy online learning. I can get my work done fast, and I have plenty of free time to spend on the hobbies I enjoy. I do miss seeing all of my friends, but I’ve gotten used to our current system, and I think I can make it through the year.”

Whatever you choose whether in-person school or online make sure you try your hardest and stay safe!