Giada Amendolara '25
Our first normal quarter in many years has finally come to an end. Our first quarter was very different from what we were forced to get used to because of the Covid pandemic. The first quarter started on a very positive note: no more masks, no online classes, and no more social distancing. It was a relief to get back to Fontbonne in a normal way, unrestricted by Covid rules.
It was a very positive experience returning to Fontbonne and the first quarter because the routine of being in a classroom and learning from teachers in person made life seem normal again. It made learning much easier because in a classroom setting it is easier to stay focused on the work and ask questions right away. According to the Washington Post, “The pandemic showed, unmistakably, that most students learn best in person — in a three-dimensional world, led by a teacher, surrounded by classmates and activities.”
Remote learning was necessary during the pandemic, but it was not a substitute for in-school learning and teacher-led discussion. Our first normal quarter showed us all what we had been missing. Maria DiMaggio ‘25 says, “I felt so much more engaged and presently part of the Fontbonne community than compared to last year.”
Getting back to the social aspect and extra-curricular activities of a normal first quarter was important. One of the negative effects of the Covid epidemic was isolation and loneliness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “more than a third (37%) of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% reported they persistently felt sad or lonely during the past year.”
CDC findings also show “that a sense of being cared for, supported, and belonging at school — called ‘school connectedness’ — had an important effect on students during a time of severe disruption.” Having a normal quarter one was important because it made everyone reconnect and get back on track.
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