Bringing Back the Bunch

For the first time since March of 2020, students will be back in the building five days a week at SMS.

The Shawnee Mission School District recently announced that all students currently enrolled in hybrid learning will make the switch to full inperson instruction on March 22. The administration has worked with staff as well as students to ensure the safety of all returning educators and learners. Precautions such as extended lunch periods and seating arrangements will take place in order to keep students and staff safe. While there is no way to guarantee a full six feet between every student and staff, the district and faculty are trying their best to provide the spacing needed in every situation. Many are excited to be back in the classroom and finally have the opportunity to fill the hallways again. “I feel pretty excited to go back full time because it’s my final chance to be in the classroom with everyone I’ve been in school with since middle school. Going back to school is a good way to bring everyone together again for a few months, but I’m not sure how long it will last for. I’m optimistic though,” senior, Dylan Ziegler said. Even though many students look forward to returning to school some have mixed feelings about the number of people crowded into one building. “I think that there are aspects that are good and bad Freshman Tristan Kelly navigates his way around the new round about in the main hallway on the first day back in the hybrid model.

Photo By Katey Eichorn

Junior Haley Carter, handling bags for her many activities, moves towards the arts hallway.

Photo By Katey Eichorn

BRINGING BACK THE BUNCH

For the first time since March of 2020, students will be back in the building five days a week at SMS.

because going fulltime helps you get more work done and understand what you’re doing but also it’s a lot of people in one place I guess. But then again they’re putting out the vaccine so,” freshman, Alayna Baron stated. Not only are students excited to return back to the green and gold colored halls but so are the teachers that support Shawnee Mission South. “Well, it’s gonna be easier to do some of the lab activities for my particular classes that haven’t been able to. So I think that will be a positive,” science teacher, JJ Wannamaker said. The change to full in person learning is meant to help students feel more connected to one another and of course receive a face-to-face learning experience. In person learning is a big step towards higher grades and more student attendance. “Honestly I think a majority of the people are very excited about going back to school full time. The parents and the students that signed up for remote are still in remote, so the parents of students that have signed up for in person are getting you know what they hoped for and what they wanted,”Joe Gilhaus said.

A group of students check their phones for their schedules to find what class they are headed to next.

Photo By Katey Eichorn

“Honestly I think a majority of the people are very excited about going back to school full time. The parents and the students that signed up for remote are still in remote, so the parents of students that have signed up for in person are getting you know what they hoped for and what they wanted,” Joe Gilhaus said.