Herndon's First Week Back To School

By Conor Gilingham, Buzz Editor

The 2021-2022 school year has begun, and with it a return to the familiar, traditional in-person way of learning. After a year in the virtual classroom, HHS students are certainly glad to be back.

School events like pep rallies, plays and the Homecoming Parade have all made their glorious return. Last year, many students lost the chance to participate in their favorite clubs and activities. “I’m excited to get the fun parts of school back because all school last year was just learning,” said senior Sara Fulkerson.

But for a large portion of the student body, Herndon’s diverse array of fulfilling clubs and activities are more or less a mystery. Many clubs were put on hold during the pandemic, making it difficult for students to discover groups they may be interested in joining. Additionally, the new building renovations require some getting used to, and it’s really easy to get lost and confused when traveling from room to room. The hallways all mostly look the same, and the room-numbering system is not all too helpful either. “I got lost before every single class,” said junior Sabrina Farmer. So while it is a relief to be back in person, it would be a bit more accommodating if the layout was less confusing. Communication is key, yet for some students, the signs and occasional wall-bound map do little to help get a firm bearing. “The maps are not helpful and they should fix that,” said junior Mia Bollerer.

But despite those shaky adjustments, there is still lots to be grateful for with returning to in-person learning. Now, teachers no longer have to shape lessons to accommodate both students in-person and online. Students are also now back in regular classes and are able to pay attention without as many distractions, and as a result they are able to better participate.

The return to in-person school has once again been a transition period for students and teachers. But at the bottom line, being in-person will likely produce a better learning experience across the board, compared to last year’s virtual hurdles.