FA Students Share About Their Experiences Returning Back To School
If you were to ask a K-12 educator if in-person learning is important for developing young minds, chances are you’ll hear a compelling argument about how absolutely imperative it is for the long-term wellbeing and success of our children.
According to a report entitled “Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on America’s Students” presented by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights: “In-person instruction provides strong engagement between students and teachers, students and their peers, and direct access to the full-range of academic and wraparound services that a school provides.”
As we have learned through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefits of in-person learning for our student community in both the academic and social-emotional arenas simply cannot be overstated.
Over the last few months, we’ve been sharing a lot about our preparations to bring all of our students back to school for full-time, in-person learning.
Instead of hearing from the adults again, we’re passing the microphone to our students to hear their thoughts about what it’s like to be back in school after so much time away.
FAmily, we’d like you to meet FA Primary’s Larea Smith, FA Intermediate’s Damauri Evans, and FA Middle’s Shamir Smith.
Here’s what they had to say:
Larea Smith, FA Primary
Larea has been at FA Primary since Kindergarten. Her hobbies include helping out at home and helping take care of her younger sister along with her Mom. Her favorite subjects are Math, Recess, Lunch and Science. Larea would like to be a police officer when she grows up. When asked who her favorite teachers are, she said, “I love all of the teachers here because they are really nice.”
- How do you feel about being back in school after being remote for so long?
“I feel really happy because I get to see my friends, go outside and play at recess and I like to do everything!”
- What do you like better – remote or in-person school, and why?
“I like in-person school because I get to see my friends in person. I also get to give everyone air hugs.”
- What are you most looking forward to this school year?
“I am looking forward to pajama day!!”
- What’s your favorite thing about being back in school?
“My favorite thing is I get to see all my teachers in person and play with my friends.”
Damauri Evans, FA Intermediate
Damauri has been a Foundation student since Kindergarten. After school, Damauri practices boxing and plays with his baby brother. Damauri has been boxing for a month and really enjoys doing jump rope and hitting the punching bag. His favorite subjects are math, reading, and writing. Damauri says that “reading is the most important thing,” because as he gets older he knows he needs to read in college and in his future career.
- How do you feel about being back in school after being remote for so long?
“Both (in-person and remote) had learning, but it was better when students went two days a week because now that everyone is in class, the other schools had to quarantine.” - What do you like better – remote or in-person, and why?
“It’s better being in class because you get more help. If students aren’t really getting it online, the teachers can’t really help you.” - What are you most looking forward to this school year?
“I’m looking forward to making honor roll because I didn’t make it last year. I made the honor roll in 1st and 2nd grade, but when I got to third and fourth grade, I didn’t make it by one class. This year, I think I am going to make it because the work is getting easier because I am learning more.” - What’s your favorite thing about being back in school?
“My favorite thing about being back in school is that I get to see all the teachers in person and see everyone in the class again.”
Shamir Smith, FA Middle
Shamir has been a student at Foundation Academies since the 3rd grade. He enjoys going to football practice and playing outside with his friends. He is proud of his iReady growth in math, no longer receiving support in OCS class, and that he can control his temper! His favorite subjects are all of the above. He loves school!
- How do you feel about being back in school after being remote for so long?
“I feel good because I am finally out of the house and I get to see my friends and my teachers!” - What do you like better – remote or in-person, and why?
“I like in-person better because you can do more and you have free time to talk to your friends.” - What are you most looking forward to this school year?
“I am looking for high honors, making the basketball team, and hanging out with my friends on field trips and socials.” - What’s your favorite thing about being back in school?
“I love gym class and my teachers!”
We’d like to give special thanks to Larea, Damauri, and Shamir for sharing their thoughts with us. We’re extremely proud of each of you for showing determination and resilience, and for working hard each day to achieve your goals. We too LOVE having you back in-person, and look forward to watching you continue to grow and succeed through the rest of the school year!
| Looking to make a positive impact on the students in the Trenton community? We invite you to visit our careers page and apply! |
Michelle Lawlor, Marketing and Communications Associate, spearheads Foundation Academies’ marketing and communication efforts. Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Multimedia Communications from Rider University.