Hannah Hizer, News Editor

 Students of Penn-Trafford High School had its last school day on March 13, due to COVID-19. Activities have been cancelled and lives have been completely flipped upside down for most students, no matter their age.

     When asked on March 18, only a few days into the school closure, students seemed to have been taking advantage of the time off by sleeping and catching up on schoolwork. 

     Junior Erica Reger said, “I really haven’t done much at all. I’ve mainly just slept and tried to make progress on schoolwork.”

     Senior Olivia Carrera was skeptical if this was the right choice for the state, saying, “I believe that by putting us on this break is putting a halt to our learning, when we are eventually going to get the virus anyway,” and continued in saying that, “certain classes and extracurricular activities are affected, including spring sports and AP classes.”

     At that time, little was known about how long this situation would last. Additionally, many people were confused and misinformed and the general public was unsure of the proper steps to take to keep everyone safe. 

     Reger stated that, to keep herself and others safe, she was “staying home and away from others, as well as washing my hands and generally staying sanitary.” 

     Freshmen Cecelia Orand said that she was “frequently washing her hands and staying indoors and away from people.”

     Initially, the school districts had yet to have clearances to send work via online resources to students. 

     Carrera stated that her workload for that time was “a packet review for our Calculus final, which isn’t until the end of the school year.”

     As of April 7, the same three students were interviewed to see if their opinions had changed, and what kinds of things they had been doing in order to make the most out of the situation.

     Carrera said, “My opinion has changed slightly. I do believe it is important to maintain social distancing.” 

     In the same vein, Reger said, “After being in quarantine for some time now, I see why we need it, but it still isn’t ideal. I really miss being able to actually see people in person.” 

     That idea of missing people was popular across the board for all three students.

     School has officially been moved online due to the cancellation of school for the rest of the school year, with each teacher offering tools  to assist them in their teaching. Some teachers have been using Google Meet to give students live lessons and all teachers are using Google Classroom to assign work. 

     Orand said that her workload is similar to being in school.  However, Reger expressed that hers felt overwhelming.

     “There is so much work it is crazy. I feel like I have much more work than I would have had if I was in school,” Reger said. 

     The quarantine has not only presented differences in the educational aspects but also spring activities.

     Prom and other spring activities have officially been cancelled.

     Carrera said, “It’s upsetting because this would have been my last year on the track team, and now I don’t have the chance to compete. Prom, on the other hand, is being replaced by another dance that is just for seniors, which is nice because at least the school is trying to give back some of the things that were taken from us due to COVID-19.”

     While all nonessential workers are in quarantine, the students of P-T are maintaining some normality by keeping up with schoolwork and hoping for an end to the pandemic soon.