By: Safa Ansari — Correspondent

Sharon Public Schools started the school year off with its hybrid model. Students had the choice between a remote plan where students attend all classes online and a hybrid option allowing them to cooperate through technology and in person.

“I thought that the switch was a bit rough, but overall quite good when we got to school,” said junior Tanvi Shah. Her only doubts include the people around her contracting COVID-19. She settled in quite well and was comfortable with the system with time.   

Several students chose hybrid because their parents were concerned that remote learning would impact their children’s mental health. Sophomore Zara Khan says her parents chose hybrid because “they want me to interact with my friends.” Khan’s first choice was remote, but she was also worried about the COVID-19 cases increasing in the school. Her uncertainties vanished because of the strict rules and regulations Sharon High implemented.

Junior Amrik Eadara says that his parents recommended the in-person version, although they were fine with the full remote system. “I chose Hybrid because it is as close to a normal school as possible with direct interaction with students and teachers,” he said. Eadara says a flaw in the hybrid system is the lack of sleep. 

Despite their expectations for the hybrid model, during the first few weeks of school, many students have changed their minds about the model they initially chose. Sophomore Amos Aylesworth says he changed from hybrid to remote because it did not meet his expectations of what school would be like. “I switched from hybrid to remote because I thought the class sizes in school were too small to be worth going in for. I did not want to be in extended periods with very few people,” added Aylesworth. 

Others switched for a different reason. Junior Sharanya Dabas says he switched because of convenience and did not want to risk contact if he did not want to.

Many students also had changes of heart about the remote model and switched over to hybrid instead.  

“I switched from remote because I wanted to be around my friends, and people in general, instead of just sitting at my desk all day,” said seventh-grader Ziad Ali. Ali prefers to be social and finds that hybrid is a healthier format to learn. 

Many students also say that the new model was hard on their mental health. “I switched [from hybrid to remote] because I felt very uncomfortable. Already the first-day people kept to themselves and did not include me,” said sophomore Destiny Proposal.

Proposal says she was by herself during mask breaks and almost ate lunch by herself. “My anxiety was through the roof, and I could not handle it,” added sophomore Destiny Proposal.

Students are not the only ones who have to deal with this transition. Teachers have to find stability in teaching students online and in person.  English teacher Mr. Adam Judkins says balancing students in the physical classroom and the Zoom classroom has been a true learning experience for him. “The one element that has made the transition into the hybrid more manageable has been the patience and effort of students and teachers,” said Judkins. 

“The collaboration and support amongst teachers have never been stronger and more productive. We are all in this pandemic together even when we are apart,” added Judkins.