Four weeks ago, on Oct. 5, NISD schools across the city began transitioning students from distance to in-person learning. Harlan students who felt safe had the option to return to school on a hybrid schedule, where they would alternate between in person and virtual learning in two groups – group A and group B. Since the city-wide return to school, COVID-19 numbers in San Antonio have steadily risen and appear to be repeating the trend seen in June and July of this year, when the virus reached its peak. However, infection rates at Harlan High School itself continue to stay low, as the safety precautions taken by school faculty and students are enforced.
The goal for the city was to have the positivity rate below 5%. Right now it is at 5.8% (increased to 6.9% as of Oct. 27). With guidance from CDC, the health department and TEA we can function in person safely as long as we follow the guidelines. This is a team effort from staff, students and parents. We are all in this together,” registered school nurse Jessie Hernandez said.
Safety Precautions Taken By Harlan High School:
THE NEST has set a myriad of precautions into place in order to ensure the safety of both students and staff. Precautions include mandatory mask wearing at all times (excluding lunch), a health questionnaire needed to enter the building, a maximum of 10 students allowed per classroom, distanced desks, and a plexiglass shield between students and teachers. The school provides faculty with personal protection equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes, and both hand sanitizing and water bottle refilling stations have also been installed throughout the school for student use.
“We’ve just changed everything to make our learning space as safe as possible and I feel very comfortable that we’ve done a great job of that. We’ve been able to bring students back into the building successfully and we’re looking to bring even more students back here,” said Principal Robert Harris.
Students in Groups A and B alternate the days they attend in-person school. If Group A goes in-person on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the week, group B will attend in-person school on Tuesday and Thursday and vice-versa. This ensures that, even if the majority of students are transitioned back to in-person learning, the school building will never go beyond half of its regular capacity. Students were successfully brought back to campus on Oct. 19 and Harlan plans to transition even more students from virtual to in-person learning at the beginning of each new marking period.
“I decided to come back in person just because I felt like I was missing the teacher interaction and I’m the kind of person that has to be in front of a teacher and not in front of a computer,” senior Bailey Crippen said.
Despite these changes, there are many students and faculty members who are still uncomfortable with the idea of returning to in-person learning. After all, no matter how many precautions are taken, there can never be an absolute guarantee of safety. At risk students, or those who simply feel more comfortable with distance learning, have the option to continue learning from home. At risk faculty are also able to opt-out of returning to school and teachers who choose this option continue to teach classes on zoom with an adult proxy in the physical classroom to supervise in-person students.
“At the end of the day, while this has been something that widely is viewed as negative, I always try to look at what the positives may be down the road,” said Harris, adding, “Even when we’re out of this COVID sense, not only myself, but education in general will have new tools in our toolbox to be better at what we do.”
How Positive Cases are Handled at School:
As of publishing, there have been four positive COVID-19 cases on campus. Each time a new case is reported, a letter is emailed to parents and faculty explaining the situation and actions that are being taken to ensure the virus does not spread to other individuals within the school. Those who are at risk of possibly having caught COVID-19 themselves, are notified, removed from campus and must quarantine for a period of 14 days before they can return.
“Once the administration gets notification of a positive case, they notify me. I work with Health Services and the Health Department to complete contract tracing. All close contacts will be notified,” Hernandez said.
If a student feels sick or starts to experience symptoms at school, they will be taken to an isolation room where they will wait for a parent or guardian to take them home. The student will not be able to return until they either quarantine for a period of 10 days or receive a diagnosis from their doctor explaining the symptoms. In-person students who must stay at home for any reason, including risk of COVID-19, are able to attend Zoom classes without any detrimental effects to their grades or attendance.
“I think the downsides (of returning to school) are there are lots of kids putting themselves at risk of possibly catching it, but I think that it’s (the option for in-person learning) good because there are a lot of kids that struggle with online learning and staying focused,” said Crippen.
Increasing COVID-19 Numbers in San Antonio:
As of right now, COVID-19 cases in Texas are projected by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to overtake the current peak in cases (from July of this year) by Jan. 2021. Even with safety precautions, there has been a steady increase in the number of infections since schools have reopened. Numbers will likely continue to increase as more restrictions are lifted, but maintaining social distancing and continuing to follow CDC guidelines significantly decreases one’s risk of contracting COVID-19.
“I am worried. As more students return, the chances of increased infection go up,” said Hernandez. She later added “What can you do to help? Please continue to social distance. Please wear a mask properly at all times. Please wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Please stay home if you are sick.”