×

Students say school will be ‘different’

Courtesy photo Escanaba Junior High School student Ryan Heider, right, picks up his schedule from Escanaba Junior High School Secretary Maureen Ayotte Thursday.

ESCANABA — With the 2020-21 school year about to begin for K-12 school districts in the area, local high school and junior high students shared their thoughts about returning to school while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Raeanna Maki, a Mid Peninsula student entering her junior year of high school, was not enthusiastic about the idea of returning to in-person classes.

“I don’t really think it’s a good idea,” she said.

According to Maki, she is particularly worried about the possibility of young children spreading coronavirus.

“I have a five-year-old sister, and she’s starting school,” she said.

Despite these concerns, Maki said she is planning to give in-person education a chance this fall for at least a couple of weeks.

“If it gets to be too much … then I’ll just go to online (learning),” she said.

Tyler Lawson, who will be starting his senior year at Escanaba Senior High School, said he expects his experience as a high school senior to be different from students who graduated in the past.

“I feel like we’re not going to be able to … do as much stuff as past seniors have gotten to do,” he said.

Among the traditions Lawson believed he and other seniors could miss out on this year were homecoming and prom.

“Last year’s got canceled when I was a junior,” he said of the latter event.

On the other hand, Lawson had few concerns directly related to the pandemic.

“I honestly am not too afraid of this virus,” he said.

Escanaba Junior High School student Ryan Heider, who will be entering the eighth grade, said he also expects things to be different this year. As one example, he mentioned school masking requirements.

“I think it’s fine — it, like, makes sure nobody gets sick and stuff,” he said.

Heider will be attending classes in person for the 2020-21 school year.

“I want to do it in person, because I felt like I didn’t learn much online,” he said.

He was also optimistic about the upcoming school year, assuming his peers take masking requirements seriously.

“Just (make) sure everyone wears their mask, and I think it’ll be a good year,” Heider said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today