First days back: Joy, adjustment, and caution

Originally published Sept. 9, 2020 in the Mason County Democrat. Photos by Tory Dahlhoff

It was the last Friday in August, but everything else about that particular Friday was a first at Illini Central.

The first Friday of the school year and the first school year to begin amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The sun baked the tops of the golden yellow buses lining the crescent curb outside the school’s doorways.  It was 11:30 a.m., but this was not early dismissal.  

Per the school district’s reopening plan, students who opted for in-person instruction were headed home–or wherever a wi-fi signal and supervision awaited them–to participate in the remainder of the school day remotely via Google Classroom.

Kids boarded the buses amid the late summer swelter, minding as best they could to keep six feet between them.  

Everyone wore their masks, which have become just another accessory to consider as part of a student’s wardrobe–the daily testament to their budding adolescent identities.

Third grader Eli tugged on a small poke-a-dot strap that attached her mask to her shirt to keep it from getting lost.  Her mother insisted she use it.  That did not play well with Eli who said she tried to look “perfect” on her first day back at school with her best friends, some of whom she had not seen since last spring.

“I was like, okay, no, it does not go with my outfit,” said Eli, who ultimately conceded and instead focused her energy on coordinating one of her many masks with the day’s pick of clothes.  

As for having to wear a mask at school, she said it didn’t matter so much–she got used to it over the summer during trips to the grocery store.  

What really mattered to her that first week back was getting to see her friends and teachers.

“I wanted to hug everybody but I was like ‘I can't do that.’  But I was excited.”  

Sophomore Zachary Entwistle shared that feeling of excitement for returning, but said he was anxious to see if the school had taken the virus and precautions seriously.

“It was a little confusing at the start getting used to all of the new policies and everything but I believe that our school is doing a really safe job,” he said. “I feel like we're really well prepared.”

High school science teacher Jaime Droge credits the district’s planning effort to that prepared feeling.

“I really felt here at our school the district pulled together.  We had a committee that had teachers and parents. Everyone was involved in making the decisions,” said Droge. 

Droge was especially thrilled to have the in-person opportunity with her students given the hands-on nature of the labs she said are so critical to her curriculum.

“Just being able to see them and get back to somewhat of a normal routine was the best feeling,” said Droge.

At Havana High School, senior Dominique Barner waited quietly in the socially-distanced line in the school’s gym to have his yearbook picture taken.  In turn, he sat on the small stool in front of the camera and removed his mask.  The flicking sound of the camera’s shutter dribbled unchallenged across the silent gym.

“I was kind of bummed out that we can’t do sports this fall, but I was prepared,” said Barner, sharing the frustrations that tempered his overall satisfaction to be back on campus for his last year of high school.

“We got to see all of our friends but we couldn’t really be close.  We had to wear the mask, which sucks because you can’t really see anybody’s face.  

“It’s different, but it’s kinda the same at the same time.” he said.

Havana senior Autumn Blakely said the first week was a challenge.

“And it is hard because some friends aren’t here.  They’re doing remote learning,” she said.  “It’s just an overall different experience.”

Havana High School Principal David McKinney reflected on the first week with satisfaction, all things considered.

“I was really impressed how much the kids adapted and they've done everything we've asked,” said McKinney.

Just like those at Illini, he too credited the smooth reopening to an intentional and collaborative planning process.

“When you use a conglomerate of ideas you'll come up with a pretty good solution.  I think we did,” he said.

His concern now lies with students’ willingness to follow public health recommendations outside of school.

“I'm not really worried about them while they're here,” he said. “I don't want to be shut down because of them not wearing a mask out and about in public and social distancing out there.”

Back at Illini Central, eighth-grader Vivian summed up her feelings simply.

“I was just excited to see people again and not be stuck at home all the time.”

One welcome slice of the school-life past in the otherwise unknown present.