The remainder of 2020’s school year will be a very different one for not only Baldwin schools, but for schools all over the country. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, the USD 348 school district has had to shut down all schools for the rest of the year until September.

In order to complete their education for the year, students have resumed taking classes online.

“The state education department created a 5-day professional development for this past week,” BHS principal Brant Brittingham said. “Teachers have spent time collaborating and formulated a continuous learning plan for their classrooms via Canvas, Zoom and other possible resources.”

The announcement came as a huge shock to BHS staff.

“My first reaction when I heard we would not be coming back to school in the traditional sense was shock and sadness,” art teacher Becky Weaver said. “Rationally, I knew it was coming and that it was the best, safest call to make and I was proud of our governor for making it so early.”

Many felt disappointed for those who lost the unique experience of their senior year of high school.

“Emotionally, I was sort of a wreck,” Weaver said. “I thought of all the seniors. I thought of all the events we’d miss. It’s a huge loss and it’s really sad.”

“When I heard that school was going to be online only, I was really disappointed,” junior Jacob Hofman said. “I felt terrible for the seniors who may not get a prom and graduation, and online school scared me.”

Although it is an unfamiliar state of affairs, students have been doing their bust to adjust to the circumstances.

“A week in of online schooling and I don’t mind it,” Hofman said. “I am able to contact my teachers easily to ask any questions that I have, which makes Zoom very helpful.”

Since BHS has never had to go through such a situation, both staff and students were not prepared for anything like it and have been doing the best they can to make it through the rest of the school year.

“This definitely isn’t a scenario we’ve ever been warned about, let alone prepared for,” Spanish teacher Katie Marten said. “I think we’re all just playing it by ear and doing what we can when we can to make the best of a weird situation.”