As the school year comes to an end, many students become busy as they prepare for numerous upcoming events. Classes start to review content as SOLs and exams approach, students start to plan ahead for major events like prom, and for seniors, they begin to gather everything they need for the most important experience of the year, graduation. However, these end of the year priorities may not be met, as there may not be an ‘’end of the year”.

On March 23, it was announced that all schools K-12 would be closed for the remainder of the school year. There were a wide range of reactions from people with mainly students being disappointed with the announcement. 

“I was extremely shocked and heartbroken. I love Kempsville and to know that the rest of the academic year was canceled, I was extremely sad. This cancellation also meant that all of the upcoming extracurricular events and end of the year celebrations I had would not happen as well as I wouldn’t be able to regularly see my friends for a while, which also made me sad. I was also curious wondering how the rest of school would be handled and what exactly would happen from here on out,” sophomore Faith Coley said. 

“To be completely honest, I wasn’t really shocked by the news. I saw the state of our city, state, and country and how it is being affected by COVID-19, The Coronavirus is continuously being spread, and people are still being tested positive. It is sad that the school year ended so abruptly, but it is for the betterment of society,” said junior Jada Jones.

Senior Tyler Mullins felt differently.

“I was heartbroken and my chest became so heavy,” he said. “It was sad knowing I won’t see my teachers and some people face to face anymore.”

With the release of the news, there have been various reactions and concerns in regards to what the change means, including how this decision might affect the next school year. 

“In my opinion, next school year will be more exciting! By the time next school year rolls around, it would have been around 6-7 months since everyone has been in school. I feel like people will be more appreciative due to the lack of time in school,” said Jones, looking at the situation as an opportunity to look forward to the next school year. 

“I think that it could possibly affect the progress of learning for students and [the] level of knowledge they have when it comes to implementing aspects of their courses this year to their courses next year. I also think it could possibly push some students back in their progress of achieving certain requirements to graduate. It could also affect some extracurricular activities by preventing them from being able to effectively prep for next year,” said sophomore Faith Coley, feeling that this time could impact students’ readiness for the next year. 

“Hopefully they don’t extend this year into next year because that could mess up some students’ plans with college,” Mullins said, unsure of what this will mean for the academic future of seniors, and himself.  

Due to the fact that the school buildings are closed, students will be finishing the remainder of school online. While there isn’t anything too troubling about having to continue this method of schooling, the three students expressed missing face-to-face learning and physically being in school. 

Along with this, the students are also concerned how online learning will affect certain classes. 

“The one I’m most concerned about in regards to online schooling is AP Euro[pean History]. When we were in the actual classroom we were able to have face to face conversations where Mr.Cinnamond was able to explain the material we were covering, in a more in depth way, and he could answer any questions we had. Now, we are not able to do that. Those discussions really helped me understand the material and now we can’t have them. This has made me concerned with how the rest of the year, for this class, is going to go,” Coley said. 

 “I am not really concerned about my Kempsville courses. I am more concerned about my TCC courses, more specifically Biology. The entire rubric and grading system has changed, so I am adjusting to that,” Jones said. She also mentioned her concerns with AP testing and how the exam being online changed her method of studying.

“I feel like calculus will be really hard to do purely online. It’s easier to learn math in person so you can get direct feedback and see the process, but learning on your own or online can be challenging,” Mullins said.

The school building being closed not only cancelled classes, but also all school related activities that were to come as the school year came to an end. This also disappoints students who were looking forward to certain events. 

“I was looking forward to the end of the year class parties and the band program’s band banquet,” said Coley. “Also, my sister is graduating, so just being able to experience all of the senior festivities with her.” 

Jones was also looking forward to the Ebony Fusion Fashion Show that she had planned.

“I was really excited about it, but it, like the many other events, has been canceled,” she said. “To look on the bright side, I plan on making the Ebony Fusion Show more extravagant and amazing next year due to all this extra time on my hands.”

Mullins also mentioned how he looked forward to spring sports, prom, and graduation before the school announced its closing.

As the current situation changes the lives of many, there is no telling when things can go back to the way they used to be.

“I think that it could take a few months before everything is back to normal, because even when everything regarding the virus simmers down, people are still going to have to resort back to their old schedules, which could take time getting used to,” Coley shared. 

However, some are still hopeful that things will begin to get better soon.

“Since school’s out for the rest of the school year, it won’t feel normal till then. But hopefully, this goes down by the end of April,” Mullins said. 

Whatever the outcome may be, all that can be done now is take precautions and stay healthy in an effort to improve the condition of things so that everyone can go back to the lives they once lived. 

“If everyone practices social distancing and executes healthy, sanitary practices, I feel as though everything will start to steady by fall of next year,” Jones advises.