Normality has been redefined over the past year at Pennridge High School. Since March 13th, 2020, students from grades 9-12 have not been able to have a full week of in-class learning. For the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, students were replacing exams with open note quizzes and classwork with group work.

The start of the 2020-2021 school year left students and teachers feeling hopeful. As many seniors felt the fears of missing their final year, underclassmen saw this as a chance to sit back and relax. 

Most students opting for the hybrid schedule thought that it would force them to limit their procrastination. Current Pennridge High School senior, Lauren Mauer, states that going back for five days should, “put me back onto a normal schedule.” On her at-home days she spent her extra time working, sleeping, and seeing friends. 

Many students, whether full-remote or full in-class are being forced to give up their extra work shifts. Many teachers are supporting these students and helping them remain positive. 

Teachers all across Pennridge High School are already balancing online students with in-class students, but it has only been like this two days a week. Moving forward they will have to make adjustments so their plans will work in this style every weekday. Mrs. Schwendeman states, “Trying to come up with labs that can apply to both online and in person is probably the biggest struggle.” This is not only a problem just for her, but for all of the science teachers as well. 

While teachers are viscously changing their plans, students are trying to ‘retrain’ their stomachs. In order to meet all of the guidelines for a public school of its size, lunch had to be removed from everyone’s schedule. Students used to use this time to socialize, eat, and even study before tests or prepare for presentations. This is one of the biggest changes because it has never been done before at Pennridge High School. 

Some students fear that their mental health will drop due to the decrease in energy that their food provides. But no lunch also comes with a few good things. Free lunches will be provided at the end of each day for students to stop down and grab. Classes will also be shortened roughly 10 minutes so students will be allowed out at 1:00 instead of 2:15. 

*There are many mixed opinions about this switch, so let us know what you think in the comments below!