The first day of high school is intimidating and bewildering for most Grade 9 students at the best of times.
On top of that, Tuesday marked the first-ever back to school day for most Sault and Algoma district students and those across Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic era, with students, staff and teachers wearing masks, practicing social distancing and keeping a host of other COVID precautions in mind.
“It (the reality of COVID measures in school) feels different. It’s not what we expected it was going to be like when we were growing up, when we were looking forward to going to high school...(but) it’s okay. It’s been good today so far,” said Payton Magli, a St. Mary’s College Grade 9 student, speaking to SooToday Tuesday.
“It’s weird right now because we’re the only people in the school. The Grade 10s and everyone else aren’t here yet,” Magli said, as schools are starting up on a staggered basis this week.
Approximately 175 students attended St. Mary’s today, far less than the usual number due to the staggered schedule.
A group of older St. Mary’s College students, involved in the Link Crew program, were on hand to welcome and ease Grade 9 students into their first day of high school.
The Link Crew program is in place at a number of high schools, Grade 9 students taken on school tours by older students, receiving answers to their questions in regard to schedules, lockers, padlocks and other critical ‘first day of high school’ concerns.
“The Link Crew helped us a lot, to get used to where everything is, where our classes are, so it wasn’t as nervous and scary as we thought it would be. I was excited,” said Abigail MacKnight, another St. Mary’s College Grade 9 student who seemed to be taking the COVID restrictions in stride.
“We only have our Grade 9 students here today, so we’re orienting them and it’s nice and slow. It’s an easy transition for them. It’s a good day,” said Christopher Czop, St. Mary’s College vice-principal.
“The day has run relatively smoothly. We had our Link Crew call each of our Grade 9s and welcome them to the school and inform them of which classroom they would be reporting to...the Link Crew met them outside. We had them line up all the way outside to the bus bay. When they walked in the school administrators pointed them in the direction of where their first class was.”
Czop said school spirit and morale among students was, in general, upbeat despite COVID-19 precautions.
“The returning Link Crew students were very excited for our Grade 9s. The Grade 9s were a little apprehensive coming into the school, but with a group of cheering Link Crew students with signs, it eased the anxiety as soon as they got off the bus and ones who were getting out of cars. Parents were snapping pictures, it was good.”
Teachers within the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) and Algoma District School Board (ADSB) had prepared for the unusual new school year with three COVID-conscious professional development days Sept. 1 through 3.
“The staff are prepared with the health and safety training they’ve had and they’re adjusting to the new times. They’re taking it one moment at a time. The staff morale is positive, based on the interaction we’ve had with them,” Czop said.
