Highlanders stay virtual

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

What are the pros and cons of virtual learning?

“Virtual is less stressful and I can do everything comfortably. However, I am not able to socialize or see my friends often.”

- Sooma Ghodsi, freshman

“I can do all my work from bed, and that means I can get more sleep, but It is harder to communicate with your classmates and peers.” - Aaron Bremser, senior

“We can do everything when we want to and we are not stuck in a classroom. Unfortunately, I would have to say it is hard to stay focused from home.” - Eliana Bruck, junior

Majority of students opt for virtual learning

ELIZABETH HUMPHREYS REPORTER

When schools began concurrent learning in March, students and staff were forced to make the decision of returning to the school building. Despite the county’s efforts to prepare buildings for the return to school, less than half of all McLean students decided to opt for in-person learning.

Several McLean teachers have stayed virtual too, including English teacher Marc Cascio.

“In all honesty, when I see what school looks like, I don’t think [it is safe]. It’s not anyone’s fault, and I applaud all of the staff and students. I just think that with [the risk of] possible mutations, etc., the county could have just waited for the year,” Cascio said. “My two school-aged children, a sixth and a ninth grader, were not permitted to return to their schools by my wife and me.”

As of April 19, 934 of the 2,293 McLean students, around 41%, are attending school in person. This is a significant decrease from the beginning of the school year, when 70% of students chose to return to the school building.

“Some of [the people who decided to stay virtual] still had concerns about the pandemic and were just waiting to see if the situation was better enough for them to feel comfortable coming to school,” Director of Student Services Paul Stansbery said. “I think others have gotten used to being at home and did not want to change formats in the second half of the year.”

Worsening case numbers during winter and spring likely made students concerned about another wave of infections, despite reassurance from the school district that infection rates in schools are low.

“I stayed online because the rate of vaccination is pretty slow and no one in my family has been vaccinated yet. I don’t want to take the risk of going into school and meeting people unnecessarily,” senior Matthew Yoon said.

Along with health risks, Yoon did not see the incentive of returning to school only to be taught on his computer by teachers who have to simultaneously teach online students.

“I don’t feel like I’m going to miss out on much by not doing in-person learning, except maybe the misery of having to actually sit in classes all day,” Yoon said. “It takes a valiant person to voluntarily endure suffering from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.”

Faculty were permitted to stay virtual if the school district accepted their request under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects those with underlying health conditions.

“I decided to stay home because I am asthmatic, and on top of that, I had a truly bizarre reaction to a cleaning product at school once,” Cascio said. “Other factors were that I have older, immunocompromised parents and stepparents, and I have a very young child. All those factors together made it an easy call for me.”

FCPS announced that all students will be able to return in person for five days a week next school year, but the decision many students and staff made serves as a reminder that the pandemic is not over yet.

“It is easy to feel like this is over, and it is particularly easy for young folks to feel superhuman, but this is truly a case where you can’t be safe enough,” Cascio said. “We all want to get out of this mess soon.”

Where are McLean students?

In Person

Remaining Virtual 934 - 41% 1,359 - 59%

*Data obtained from Paul Stansbery on April 19