The Mycenaean

Comfortable and ready to jump on a google meet, Chase Dutton kicks back in his chair, prepared for Leesville’s online classroom. With the Covid-19 sweeping through the country, WCPSS retreats to online learning for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. (Photo courtesy of Chase Dutton)

Leesville Road High School begins its second week of online learning for students as the Covid-19 pandemic grows worse.

Since March of 2020, the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) has made many alterations to its school system. The spread of the Covid-19 virus forces WCPSS to push toward online learning for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. The WCPSS announced a free accessible chromebook to students who are unable to join online classes. On August 12 and 13, the accessible chromebooks were distributed to students who scheduled for a pick up time. After having received a verification code and undergoing Covid-19 screening precautions, students received a fully functional chromebook.

Not all students needed a chromebook to use for school. Laney Wade, Leesville Road High School senior, is currently using her own personal laptop to get school work done. She said via text, “I didn’t pick up a chromebook because I felt it would be better to use my own and let other students who need them have access to the devices.”

Entering the school year, the graduating class of 2021 are excited and looking forward to their last year as a Loonie. However, the expectations and excitement fade when online school is introduced. Erin Amiss, Leesville Road High School senior, is in her fourth and final year at LRHS.

 As a senior, Amiss is looking forward to living the senior year experience, however her expectations are lowered when she discovers that school will be using an online virtual academy for the first semester. “I was really looking forward to going to school and parking in the senior lot and all the fun activities seniors do at school,” said Amiss via text. 

Although her senior experience may be cut short, she feels the transfer to online school is simple and straightforward. “I like how it’s similar to college in a way, students are more independent and must be responsible for waking up, logging on, and keeping track of work,” said Amiss. 

Rayn Baughman, Leesville Road High School junior, is also adjusting to the remote online learning. She feels the online environment works well but prefers in school learning over online classes. “I do like how easy it is to log onto class and work from home, but I do miss the school setting and seeing my friends and teachers,” said Baughman. 

Although she enjoys the comfort of her home, Baughman feels she is becoming more lazy and unproductive. “The school environment gave me more energy and the will to work,” said Baughman. 

Overall, she feels she is adjusting well with the new online setting instead of the in school environment. 

Having two weeks of experience under the belt, the LRHS community and staff are prepared to continue the 2020-2021 school year by means of online learning and social distancing.