With the new year rolling in, many schools are reevaluating their current policies in order to bring students a more rounded and beneficial learning experience. Here at HHS, we will be undergoing a schedule update, as well as a change to certain mandates regarding Zoom and remote learning. Despite the well-meaning nature of these changes, many students and teachers feel as though the decisions will result in more harm than good.

For one, the extended school hours have left many students feeling unmotivated. The new plan implements 6 hour school days into the weekly schedule; while this is reminiscent of the traditional in-person schedule, the idea of spending that amount of time in front of a screen can be an exhausting thought.

Other changes involve the actual structure of the classes, including changes to the way Zoom lessons will be carried out in the future.

 As many are already aware, Zoom has proved to be a popular method of online classes, its stock having raised over 430 points from the beginning of April to mid-October. The app contains a few core features, like audio and camera functions, a chat box, and “Breakout Rooms,” which are essentially separate sub-meetings that participants can be assigned to.

While over the past few months, teachers have utilized these features to involve students in online learning, a new mandate put in place seeks to further student interaction.

Holyoke High has added a new mandate which states that, starting January 19th, students will be required to keep their cameras on at certain points during class. There are several mixed opinions toward this new rule, with some suggesting that it will improve the atmosphere of the class and result in a more engaging lesson. Others are more opposed and feel that the mandate disregards student privacy.

Additionally, some schools are beginning to work hybrid learning into their routine, planning to have students and teachers participate in-person at various points throughout the week. A number of people feel that this endangers students, staff, and their families, as Holyoke is still in the red. Questions have been raised as to why these changes are being implemented when they are, as little improvements have been observed concerning the local COVID situation.

The effects of these changes are yet to be seen.