5 months. 22 weeks. 152 days.
That’s how long it’s been since Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students last met for in-person learning on March 11 before moving to eLearnng.
On Monday, BCSC kicked off the 2020-21 school year. The first day for students was originally scheduled for Aug. 7 but was later pushed back to Monday.
For both students and staff, the return to in-person classes brought excitement at the prospect of reuniting with friends.
“I’m actually waiting for my best friend to come over here,” said Arica Patterson, a senior at Columbus East High School, as she waited outside the school building. “I haven’t seen her since March.”
East sophomore Gabriel Hagy said he, likewise, hadn’t seen his friends in a while.
Karen Bray, who teaches French at East, said that while she was “nervous and a little tense about the timing” of school reopening, she’s glad to see students and coworkers in person again.
“We’ve seen each other over Zoom, but, you know, not in person, so that’s going to be exciting, to catch up with staff members — at a socially appropriate distance, of course,” Bray said.
BCSC director of operations Brett Boezeman that the thought of seeing students again “energized” staff members, and that students were also glad to return.
“Many smiles (behind masks) all around!” he said.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
