For most k-12 students throughout central Utah it is time for them to head back to school. Aug. 19 marked the start of the school year for Sevier, Beaver, Millard, Juab and Wayne county school districts. For North Sanpete and South Sanpete school districts Aug. 20 was that day.

This year promises to be a year like no other as schools have to navigate around COVID-19 and the risk it poses to students and faculty. All students throughout the state of Utah that attend in person classes this year are required to wear a face mask and upon talking to administrators throughout central Utah it appears all schools plan on have plenty of disinfectant on hand.

For students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes in the Sevier School District, they are able to take an online only path through the school year with teachers posting videos of their classes online. Students can also choose to attend school for part of the day and take some classes from home. When asked what would be different this school year administrators stated masks would definitely be different and there’s a few small things, but that they wanted the return to school to feel as normal as possible.

For students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes in the North Sanpete School District various online options will be available. For students in elementary through middle school they can use programs such as edgenuity, spark and pathblazer. For high school students they can use edgenuity or use video recordings of classes posted online by teachers. When asked what would be different this school year administrators stated that along with masks and social distancing they have marked hallways with arrows directing students to avoid crowding, are holding some classes in gyms and auditoriums, disinfecting library books, and giving high school students their free period at the end of the day allowing them to go home early if they desire among other things.

For students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes in the South Sanpete School District online options for students include using edgenuity or pathfinder to complete coursework. When asked what would be different this school year administrators stated that other than masks and social distancing, classes would be more spread out, lunch would be served as grab and go sack lunches and that younger students would be allotted more breaks to go outside were they can take their masks off.

For students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes in the Beaver School District, all classes will be available to watch back online with teachers sending coursework to students with plenty of time to complete it. When asked what would be different this school year administrators stated that masks and social distancing will be enforced with sanitizing stations throughout schools among many small things, but that they wanted things to feel as normal as possible for the students.

For students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes in the Juab School District there are two options offered. First is a blended learning model where students can come for certain class periods and take other classes online. The second is a fully online option using various online resources. When asked what would be different this school year administrators stated they feel that masks create a barrier of communication between teachers and students that will take some getting used to. Also they shared their concern of social life changes weighing heavily on students.

For students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes in the Wayne School District, teachers have been asked to record their lessons and upload them to canvas  and to also have their homework assignments and materials uploaded to canvas a week ahead to give students plenty of time to get through materials. Students will also have the option to tune in live to classes through zoom. When asked what would be different this school year administrators stated along with masks and social distancing lunch periods would be more spaced out but otherwise they want instruction and learning to be as normal as possible.

Unfortunately we were unable to get in touch with someone from Millard School District to comment, but according to their website there will be a fully online option available to students who are unable or don’t feel comfortable attending in person classes.

After talking to administrators throughout central Utah, the general consensus seemed to be that students, teachers and faculty were all excited to be going back to in person classes and that most felt it is critical for students to get back to class in an environment as normal as possible. Along with that, when asked how many students were using the online learning options only, each district stated that almost no students were and that mostly the kids were just excited to go back to a somewhat normal environment.