Sanger High School plans reopening

Administrators concentrate on a safe way to go back to school during a pandemic

By Jose Guzman

Hi-Lights Reporter

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the nation to suffer economic and social disruption that affects millions of people around the globe especially the education of many students.

California Governor Gavin Newsom just announced that the San Joaquin Valley is one of the regions that may be facing a new “Stay at Home” order due to the rise in cases in the third and most serious wave of the virus since April. While health care workers struggle to manage the overwhelming number of patients, high school officials are trying to plan a safe return to campus.

“Yes, my education has suffered from the coronavirus pandemic but I do think returning will solve the problem,” said senior Kimberly Cervantes.

On Aug. 20, Newsom released the “blueprint for a safer economy” that would monitor California counties on the reopening of businesses and schools. This blueprint would allow certain businesses and schools to reopen by the gravity of Coronavirus cases. The blueprint is set up into a color tier system; purple, red, orange and yellow.

The City of Sanger, which resides in Fresno County, has been rocking back and forth on the tier system from purple and red, giving Sanger High School the opportunity to try and come up with plans to reopen the school.

“I think it is very important to provide all students with the most supportive instructional support,” said Sanger High School Principal Kirstin Coronado.

One of the school's most challenging and decisive decisions is how to reopen the high school this Spring during what may be the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Sanger High School will have multiple precautions in place from mandatory masks to sanitizing classrooms. We are currently discussing measures as we move closer to hybrid reopening,” said Coronado.

Safety is the top priority for students as well, but some feel it's very important to get back on campus. However, with cases rising daily, there are students who are voicing a variety of reasons to not want to return to school.

“Even if we do take precautions you never know who is infected. The reason I say this is because some people who do not show symptoms may have the virus. Throughout the time they might feel as if they aren’t infected, but the others around them are most likely to catch the virus. This wouldn’t be enough to convince me to return to school. I feel much safer in my home, and attending school online,” said senior Sheyla Chavez.

However, the return to school is still to be decided and depends on many factors handed down by the state and the county. Not all decisions on the return are being made at the district level.

“We are currently supporting a variety of students through the cohort model. This would change to a hybrid model in the month of January. The hybrid model would have a schedule which could support more students on campus on different days,” said Coronado.

High school administrators released a survey last month regarding schedules for the spring semester that would range from hybrid on campus, Sanger High School Virtual Learning (SHS/VL), Taft High School and Hallmark Charter School.

The original options forced students to choose their education path between staying online or returning in the hybrid. Students complained of having a difficult time on what to choose; safety or education.

“In my opinion, this isn’t fair because it feels like a punishment to us students. If we don’t attend Sanger High the classes we may be taking will not be offered online, which is basically forcing us to return to school. We all have the right to education and I believe it is not fair. We are trying to prevent ourselves from spreading or catching the virus, but the district wants us to return,” said Chavez.

However, those options are expected to change again in the next few weeks as officials best plan the return within the guides of the state and the county.

Even though Cervantes believes she does better academically when on campus, she isn't sure it’s worth the risk.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary to return back to school,” said Cervantes.

A return to in person education may be crucial for some students, but comes with potentially risking a student's health and the well-being of their families.

“I personally feel we shouldn’t because just two days ago the numbers of COVID cases increased. Since we are almost going into our second semester why not finish the last semester? This virus is not going away, but I feel like we should wait for a vaccine that will help us prevent it from spreading. I do not feel like it is necessary to return to school because we do not know who is infected, and this can affect us because we don’t want the number of COVID-19 cases to increase more,” said Chavez.

Student safety becomes a game of “Among Us” as one tries to figure who may have Coronavirus and who doesn't. Not only does this take a toll on student health, but also their mental state.

“Returning back to school will cause me more stress because I would be worried about who gets near me or who has the virus. Not having transportation will also be stressing because I would have to figure out who my ride will be. Trying to take precautions is easy, but some people do not take this seriously," said Chavez.

Going to school during the pandemic causes many problems especially when it comes to a safe and secure transportation system to school.

“Bus transportation is a very important topic, and is being discussed to provide students with this option if needed,” said Coronado.

The gravity of cases and changes in the school’s plan can change at any time before the reopening of Sanger High School and there may be possible delays in its opening. Coronado is the school’s “point person” regarding scheduling and plans.

“I am responsible for any communication about site plans at Sanger High School,” said Coronado.