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Lack of social isolation negatively impacts students in quarantine
By Nancy Medrano
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After a year of distance learning, worker Joanne Tuell said. having headaches, dry eyes and vision many di culties have begun rising “The important thing is to be aware problems. to the surface. Students like junior of how you are feeling and to practice “In terms of turning o the technolGabriela Jeronimo have experienced the good coping strategies.” ogy, I think ways that kids can approprinegative impacts of the lack of social Tuell personally visited each advi- ately social distance is like going on a interaction during distance learning. sory period and had workshops set up walk with their friend, wearing a mask
“(The lack of social interaction) has for students, such as Erika’s Lighthouse. and being outdoors, having a picnic outa ected me because I haven’t seen some Adding the extra advisory period was a side, or meeting at the park and staying of my friends ever since (quarantine) way to help enhance social-emotional six feet apart, or meeting at somebody’s started and I also haven’t been able to learning. But for some of the introverted backyard and sitting six feet apart. I think see some of my family members,” Jeroni- students who attend Daniel Pearl Mag- these are acceptable and safe ways to mo said. net High School, they haven’t noticed see your friends,” Tuell said.
The Los Angeles Uni ed School much of a di erence in their mental Staying at home can lead to many District announced on March 13, 2020, health. In fact, some students even prefer negative e ects. Some students have that schools would be closed for two staying at home because they can do noticed an increase in anxiety or even weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. school work and talk to their friends from depression. Since people are lacking the Although some students were hoping to the comfort of their home. ability to talk with other people, hang make plans with friends during that closure, Governor Gavin Newson issued a statewide stay-at-home order, making that impossible. From this point forward, students’ plans “ ere has been an increase nationally of out with friends after school, they will begin to feel more socially vulnerable. Depression can manifest in many ways, some might need to rely on others to help whereas got canceled and began to notice how they are missing out on social kids that are expressing others simply need to focus on themselves and their goals. For interaction. “Maybe if we go back (to suicidal ideation and some students, they will begin to nd ways to help themselves grow school) it could help a little bit I think that is partly during these hard times. with the lack of social interaction but I don’t think so because we are because of the social “The only positive thing that I have noticed come out of it was not going to really be doing many things, since we are going to stay in homeroom,” sophomore Diego Nuño said. Since the pandemic began over a year ago, many people have felt “Well the lack of social interaction isolation. JoAnne Tuell reading more books and probably trying to focus on myself,” Jeronimo said. Tuell’s Google Voice number is 818-925-8062, and students can reach her through Schoology if they ” an increased amount of loneliness. All has not really a ected me so much since need help and support. Students can the safety requirements that were put I’m not really a social person, to begin also text 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text into place have only intensi ed student’s with,” Nuño said. Line, as well as call 1-800-273-8255 for feelings of isolation. People have to stay Students communicate with their the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. six feet apart and gatherings outside of friends through other social media “We’ve been saying all along, all your household are also not recommend- platforms, making their average screen year long, it’s okay to ask for help, it’s ed. When you stay at home for a long time also increase. Students stare at a ne,” Tuell said. “We encourage people period of time, you begin to feel moody screen for an average of four to ve to ask for help, and if not with me, then and some might even notice an increase hours just to log into their online classes. I have resources for other places that in anxiety and depression from staying In a study conducted by Morning Con- people can go to get help.” Tuell said. home for a long time. sult in August, parents have said their
“There has been an increase nation- children have been spending more than ally of kids that are expressing suicidal four hours on their electronic devices. Instagram: @n.ancyyyyyyy ideation and I think that is partly because Some of the side e ects from staring at a of the social isolation,” psychiatric social screen for a long period of time include
DPMHS prepares for changes in campus reopening schedule
By Delilah Brumer
Ater being closed since March 16, 2020, Los Angeles Uni ed School District middle and high schools will reopen for hybrid learning the week of April 26. Daniel Pearl Magnet High School students who have opted for in-person instruction can expect to return on April 27. On April 26, students will meet only for their advisory class.
“I’m excited (about) seeing people,” said freshman Gael Cabrera, who plans to return to school in-person. “I’ve been wanting to go back to school for the whole entirety of this year, so I feel like it’s great.”
According to DPMHS Principal Armen Petrossian, there are approximately 36 students who have decided to return to on-campus learning, while the rest of students plan on remaining fully virtual. Students who return to school will remain in their advisory class the entire day with a small cohort of peers. DPMHS is taking several safety precautions including testing teachers and students weekly for COVID-19 and stocking up on masks, plexiglass and hand sanitizer. Additionally, everyone on campus will be required to wear a mask at all times.
“As far as operations go, we want to make sure that when everybody comes back we are following every safety protocol and guideline the LA Department of Public Health has put in place,” Petrossian said. “We want to make sure that everyone is safe. Right now that is the focus.”
According to a plan emailed to DPMHS teachers on April 16, daily schedules will change for both hybrid and online students. Students who return to campus will be in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M., as well as alternating Mondays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They will be at home every Wednesday and Friday.
Meanwhile, students who remain fully-remote will have instruction from 8:30 A.M. to 1:50 P.M. every Tuesday through Friday and 8:30 A.M. to 1:20 P.M. every Monday. Although lunch will occur at di erent times for each group, it will last 40 minutes for both.
“That’s one of the things that I don’t agree (with), how the schedule is going to change,” Spanish teacher Glenda Hurtado said. “I think every student has gotten into a routine.”
Many students and teachers, such as Hurtado, have mixed feelings about the reopening plan. While Hurtado is hesitant to go back and would rather wait until August, she is excited to see the three students who she will have in her cohort. “I am very hopeful in the sense of social interaction,” Hurtado said. “(But) our hopes might go down when we realize we can’t really visit or see or sit down with each other. That will be a reality check.”
Although the situation is not ideal for most members of the DPMHS community, many students and faculty remain optimistic about the coming weeks.
“My message is thank you for your patience,” Petrossian said. “Thank you for your understanding. This is a start. Continue being patient and we’re here for you. Hang in there.”
Instagram: @delilah_rose2004
Photo by Jair Sanchez O ce Assistant Lupe Osorio holds a forehead thermometer, which will be used to check the temperature of all students and sta .