Students eager for the holidays as they complete their fall semester
Jacobs also described one of the biggest challenges in returning to this new normal.
“Going from the quarter system to the semester system because instead of two classes we have three or four on top of each other, and when you have all the core subjects, it’s definitely difficult.”
Hannah Kozakewich, another 12th-grade student at Hat High, says she feels the pandemic hasn’t given her the full high school experience, but adds that her support system plays a big part in her preparation .
“I feel a little behind on the learning pace and expectations from junior high, when COVID started, until now, but I think my teachers are really taking that into account and helping us,” says Kozakewich.
While using the quarter system, the public school department reported that it had higher test scores in other school boards across the province. Superintendent Mark Davidson says he doesn’t want to lose the best parts of the quarters system when the school department transitions back to the semester system.
“We learn from a series of experiences where we suddenly went into one way of being and now we have suddenly come back again,” says Davidson. “What we have to do is make sure we don’t lose what we’ve learned in the quarters system, so there will be a little time, some conversations, to figure out what the right mix is.”
“Just take it all in, cherish every moment, and go to every event that comes with high school.” -Hannah Kozakewich, 12th grade student
Year 11 student Alex Baird says his teachers’ support combined with dedicated peer support time throughout the school year has helped him.
“I think they’ve been very helpful to us because I think we’re one of the few schools, if not the only one, that has student support, so we can come early and continue working on me, math so I can get my grade up and more can learn.”
In the meantime, students are looking forward to a much-needed break before the stress of exams kicks in in the new year.
“Taking a vacation with my family, looking forward to it and just spending time with the people who are most important to me, and getting some stress away from school, taking a little break,” says Jacobs.
“Definitely a break from school, just being able to sit at home, eat and lie down,” Baird adds.
Kozakewich says she will use her last semester to really learn what high should be.
“Just take it all in, cherish every moment, and go to every event that comes with high school.”
