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Open Letter to Ivanhoe Youth

By: Jesse Arrellano, Ivanhoe Sol

 

It was March 2020 when your parents received the phone call from your school letting them know school is closed due to COVID-19. Seventeen months have gone by since you stepped onto your school campus with any kind of “normality”. “The Pandemic” is the cause of many of your struggles and halt to your structured worlds. Many of the kiddos I have had conversations with regard to returning to school have stated they are afraid and worried about how “different” it will be. 

 Anxiety has kicked in due to being away from school for over a year now. Others are excited because they miss friends and school staff they counted on making their days better. Some are not happy with the idea of returning and would rather stay home and continue with distant learning as it has become familiar to them and no longer would like to return. 

Whatever category you fall in, the most important thing I would like to leave you with today is reminding you all that you are not alone and many other youth feel the same way you do.

 Distance learning has become something most students have become accustomed to, as many others continue to find it challenging to become used to distant learning. Waking up at 7 AM to be ready to leave your home by 7:30AM every day has changed to rolling out of bed and logging into your computer for class. Many of you are home alone and do not have anybody there to remind you and wake you up to get started with your day as Mom, Dad, or guardian have left to work for the day. 

Before COVD-19 you all had been used to waking up at the same time every morning and getting to school on time and following a schedule for 8 hours a day 5 days a week. These are schedules and systems that you, your parents and school have set into place to help you be responsible and punctual as you develop and grow into responsible adults. In my opinion this is where you all will struggle with the most coming August when school resumes back to in-person learning. 

Unstructured days are usually during spring break, winter break and summer break as most of you can stay up late and sleep in. Once school resumes you pick up where you left off and return to your normal schedules.

 

Waking up at a certain time everyday and getting back on your routine and schedule is going to be challenging and difficult for many of you. Be reminded that we are all on the same boat and you are not alone in this battle. 

 Setting your alarm every single night for bedtime and to wake up will be the easiest way to keep you on track. It takes about 21 to 30 days for anything we do to become a habit in our lives. Stick to this and it will become easier as the days pass us by.

 Another topic I would like to cover with you all is socializing, which means interacting with your peers and others in school during structured and unstructured times. Be reminded you will not be the only one having a difficult time getting back to the swing of this. If you are one that does not have a hard time with this, be a good friend and help those that are having a difficult time with all of these changes. 

School will resume back to normal schedules come August, be reminded that there are many different staff members on your school site to help guide you and provide any kind support you may need. 

Emotional support or academic support is provided in the counseling center. DO NOT be afraid to reach out to someone there as they are there to help you with any kind of struggles you are having. If walking in is difficult to you, remember you can go at break, lunch or simply email them and they will get back to you. I hope you all get back into the groove of things promptly and successfully.  

Have a Great 2021-2022 school year! We all believe in you. 

 

Jesse Arellano is a contributor to the Ivanhoe Sol and has been active in many many community events. He has worked in coaching and at the Cutler-Orosi School district as well as the Ivanhoe Community Council. 

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