STUDENTS RETURNED TO SCHOOL AMIDST RISING COVID CASES AND ARE RESUMING A SENSE OF NORMALCY

As the new school year approached over the course of the last month. Parents all over the United States had one heavy decision to make, which was whether to send their children back to school to in-person learning or keep them at home to engage in virtual learning. Last year's pandemic has left so many elements in disarray that the school systems are no different. At the onsite of the return to school, the new Delta Variant strain began to wreak havoc all over the United States as numbers began to spike leaving parents in fear of what decision to make. Then there were debates about the masks policies over whether or not children should have to wear them all day throughout school board meetings across the country.

As returning students across the country began to transition back to school the covid cases only continued to rise. This spelled disaster for many schools across the nation. With teachers and bus drivers understaffed the school systems struggle to make the necessary adjustments for a safe and normal as possible return to school. Parents are kept abreast of COVID cases and other precautions via email from the school's administration. Each time the school is aware of a covid case the schools are required to follow protocols by the Centers for Disease Control. Schools are working hard to keep both parents, staff, and the student body updated as to its protocols and procedures to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Georgia W. Hairston is a board representative on the Bedford County School board. With over thirty-seven years of service in the education field, Mrs. Hairston has a passion for educating and advocating for students' educational needs. "I ran for a seat on the school board due to my desire to continue to serve the community through education by making a difference through being a strong representation for our students and parents," says Hairston. Mrs. Hairston has served the education system as a classroom teacher for over twelve years and has served in administration as a principal for over twenty-five. Upon retirement, she has been serving as a school board member for a year and a half.

With the continuous rise in COVID cases, Bedford County Schools are prepared to return to virtual learning if necessary. Officials are already giving parents the option to switch their children to virtual learning for the second semester beginning in January. Having this option gives parents security knowing that they can keep their children at home in the instance of an outbreak with the winter months approaching.

However, for some single parents, the idea that schools could go back to virtual learning can be somewhat of a fear. A lot of single parents who work essentially or in a field where they have to be present at work depend on in-person learning for a consistent school schedule and after-school programs so that they can work during those hours. There are also parents who depend on the school meals to help supplement the meals that they provide at home. Not to even mention families who cannot afford internet service as an extra expense or are in a remote area where one cannot even be accessed. Unfortunately, this is a common reality for some single parented households. Mrs. Hairston encourages, "We all have to work together to do our part to protect ourselves and our peers. I am optimistic that we will be able to continue to keep our schools open. Although I don't know what things will look like during the winter months I am hopeful that we will all do our part and think about each other and everyone's well-being in order to get us out of this and come back to some normalcy for our children."