WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Students at Catholic schools throughout Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast began the 2020-21 school year Monday.
While some students returned to the classroom, others were given the choice to begin the year with at-home virtual learning because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The start of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Palm Beach coincides with districts in St. Lucie and Indian River counties. The School District of Palm Beach County is beginning the new year next week with remote learning.
Jennifer Trefelner, a spokeswoman for the diocese, said 20% of students have selected at-home learning.
For those who have chosen to return to the classroom, there are several new policies in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including requiring all students and teachers to wear masks.
With the help and cooperation of the diocese, WPTV was able to ask children of different ages and counties about what it was like going back to school during these unordinary times.
Student: Edward Flynn
Grade: Second
School: St. Anastasia Catholic School, Fort Pierce
Method of Learning: At-home virtual
What are you most looking forward to about this school year?
"I am looking forward to learning new things this year like cursive handwriting. I am also excited about making my first Communion."
How did your technology work today at home?
"It worked really well. I could hear and see my teacher and the kids in my class through my Zoom meeting."
What do you enjoy about at-home learning?
"That I still got to see my classroom and that I had my mom here to help me."
How did you change how you prepared for going back to school?
"Instead of packing up my backpack, I had to set up all my books and new school supplies at the table at home."
What was your favorite part of your first day?
"Listening to a story from my teacher and getting to see who was in my class."
Student: Olivia Lewis
Grade: Sixth
School: St. Helen Catholic School, Vero Beach
Method of Learning: In-person classroom
Did you feel safe on campus?
"I do feel safe. There are several sani-stations in classes and the teachers took extra time to teach us all how to be safe and stop the spread of COVID at school."
What were some of the biggest differences that you noticed at school?
"Everyone was wearing a mask and we had to learn new ways to keep each other safe and our school open."
Did you change how you prepared for going back to school?
"Yes, we bought masks and other supplies like sanitizer and water bottles to help keep me safe and healthy."
How did it feel to see your friends again?
"I was very happy to see my friends because we haven't been around people in such a long time and it felt great to see someone I know in person."
What was your favorite part of your first day?
"The best part of today was seeing my friends and meeting new students and the middle school teachers."
Student: Lola Cannova
Grade: Eighth
School: St. Clare Catholic School, Palm Beach Gardens
Method of Learning: In-person classroom
What are you most looking forward to about this school year?
"I am looking forward to seeing my friends and teachers, getting back into a routine and for my last year at St. Clare."
What are you most concerned about returning to school?
"I am nervous that someone at school could get sick and school would be shut down. I don't want anyone to get sick."
Did you feel safe on campus?
"Yes, I felt safe on campus today. Everyone took the safety precautions very well."
What were some of the biggest differences that you noticed at school?
Some of the biggest differences are that the desks are separated, we have to wear masks, we stay in the same classroom for the whole day and where ever we are, we have to stay 6 feet away from each other."
How did it feel to see your friends again?
"I was so happy to see my friends again. It was a little strange because we couldn't hug each other. We have to talk 6 feet away from each other."