Students prepare for an unexpected spring break during quarantine
April 3, 2020
Seniors Rose Chevere, Ashleigh Rawson and Silvanna Nunez have a virtual call during their time away from school because of the coronavirus.
With no sign of the curve being flattened as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly, students like junior Ariana Islam are disappointed that their eagerly awaited plans won’t come to fruition.
“We planned to go to Vegas and rent a house there with all of my mom’s friends,” Islam said. “I like going out with my cousins and because of the pandemic, I’m missing the little things a lot.”
Despite the clear skies and warm winds that signal the start of spring break, many students will have to cancel their vacation plans as social distancing continues around the world. Spring break comes three weeks after the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) issued a temporary cancelation of all classes. Since then, students have had to use digital resources such as Zoom, Schoology or Edgenuity to take classes online, and this break offers relief from navigating the unfamiliar territory of online classes.
“Teachers have assigned more work during the pandemic than they would if schools were open,” Islam said. “Most teachers don’t even teach on Zoom. They just discuss their life and what our next homework assignment is going to be.”
Other students like sophomore Jose Arcilla don’t see this as a setback but acknowledge that the quarantine feels depressing as a mandatory action.
“I think the fact that I can’t go out makes me feel so restricted that I finally want to go outside,” Arcilla said. “My plan for any break was to stay inside and just play video games.”
As more and more schoolwork is being assigned to students through Schoology and Edgenuity and nowhere to go, many students are focusing on catching up or finishing up their work. Students are also coming up with ideas and trying out new things and new hobbies they can do at home.
“I’m mainly planning on spending my spring break with whatever homework or classwork I’m behind with,” said junior Ariana Franco. “But I’m also trying out some new hobbies like painting with watercolors, playing the new Animal Crossing game and just chilling with my family.”
With the pandemic putting a pause on all outside life, for the time being, students also find alternative ways to enjoy their lives while staying safe, in the hopes they can do so outside in the future.
“I’m pretty bummed because I’m turning 18 over spring break,” senior Ashleigh Rawson said. “But my friends and I are going to have a Zoom birthday bash for Rose (Chevere) and I since our birthdays are a day apart.”
