“Time flies” accurately described the 2020-2021 school year for most students and staff at Beaver Area High School.

After spending the first three months of school online and then four more months online after the brief in-person week in November, some Beaver Area students finished out the year in-person while others remained online.

“I am so happy to have our students back! I absolutely understand that we are still in a pandemic, and families need to be able to make decisions about attending school in person that work best for them,” said high school principal Dr. Meghan Murray. “I am also really happy that many of our students and families trust that we are doing everything we can to protect all of our students and create a safe space for our kids.”

Shields and masks made in-person learning interesting to say the least. While they kept students and staff safe, sometimes they could pose issues (like getting smacked by a middle schooler swinging around their shield in the hall.) Hopefully by August, life is back to “normal” which would allow all students to return to the building.

“We will encourage families to have students attend in person, if safe, because we know that most students learn best in a face-to-face environment. There are so many life skills that students learn by just interacting with people on a day-to-day basis,” explained Dr. Murray.

Although students are encouraged to return to the building (as long as COVID cases remain low) the online option—Edgenuity—the school has offered for 10 years will be available for families who would be more comfortable if their students stay online.

“In-person learning allows me to talk to people, which is such a big part of school that nobody really paid attention to before the pandemic,” said sophomore Ella Peluso.

With hopes that more students will return to the building in the fall, many changes will be happening to the school this summer: the cafeteria and main office will be getting new looks, the pool locker rooms will be renovated and updated, the 100 and 200 hall classrooms will be getting new ceilings and paint, and the library will get new floor covering.

2020 was not easy for anyone, but especially students and teachers. Having to learn and teach from behind a screen takes away important in-person learning and teaching opportunities that aren’t available in the online environment. Even sports struggled with the COVID restrictions.

Junior Alyssa Tuccinard is hopeful the fall will bring a bit more normalcy back to school and sports.

“I hope without masks we will be able to interact with each other without fear of being too close,” shared Tuccinard.

Dr. Murray looks forward to, hopefully, welcoming back students in-person in the fall and is ready for another great year.

“It’s starting fresh, and I think we are all ready for that fresh start.”