Feb 1 marks the start of the long-awaited hybrid-learning model at Danbury High School. Ever since the official announcement regarding the transition, information has been slowly rolling out from staff as to how this new learning model will work.

There is one minor change being made to the class schedule once Hybrid Learning begins, but this is will only be for the first week of classes. Students who are coming to the building will report directly to their Mentor Flex Classes upon arrival where they stay from 7:20 am to 7:55 am. Due to this early flex block, students who are remote will not report to their first block classes until 8:00 am. After this first week, the class schedule for both in-person and online students will continue as normal with first block starting at 7:20 am.

Changes being made to DHS with the new hybrid model are the in-building procedures that ensure that CDC guidelines are still being followed such as minimizing building capacity, ensuring masks are being worn at all times while in the building and making sure the building is being cleaned frequently. In order to adhere to these guidelines, the high school has implemented a cohort system to limit the number of students in the building. This cohort system will split the student body in half, having one group of students come to the building on Monday and Tuesday, while the other group comes Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays will be used as the designated cleaning day. 

Smaller adjustments being made will include implementing new hallway traffic patterns with certain hallways and stairwells only being one-way, along with social distancing in classrooms, ensuring all students and staff are staying safe. 

Although the plans made by the district are to ensure that it is safe for students to return to the building, this plan does not go without some concerns from parents, teachers, and even students. The only way the hybrid model will truly be effective is if everyone plays their part, so here are tips that students can do to ensure they are keeping themselves and others safe when returning:

Back to School Tips (Amidst a Global Pandemic)

• Wear your mask

• • • This will be the most crucial rule to follow when returning to the building. This rule will also be enforced the most once the Hybrid Model starts, so to avoid any trouble from staff, it is best to cooperate and keep your mask on at all times.
    • Bring a spare mask with you to school, just in case something happens to your first one.

• Have hand sanitizer

• • • There is no better way to prevent passing germs than using hand sanitizer between classes. Having a small travel-sized one to carry around in your backpack to use whenever you may need it is a fool-proof way to ensure your safety. Just make sure not to share it with anyone; it is best to maintain as little contact with others as possible.

• Bring your own water bottle

• • As mentioned by Principal Donovan, the water fountains around school will not be open for use while students are in the building, so it is best to bring your own water bottle. It is a priority to limit the amount of exposure to COVID but it is also important that students stay hydrated throughout the day as well. 
  • It is also important to note that sharing water bottles or “waterfalling” from other students is not a wise idea.

• Keep your distance

• • This rule will be just as important as wearing your mask to ensure everyone’s safety when returning. Maintaining social distance is something that will be heavily enforced in the building as well, so to avoid trouble, it is best to maintain as much distance as possible throughout the day. There will be instances where maintaining a 6-foot distance is impossible (traveling in between classes and school arrival/dismissal), but everyone must do their best to maintain at least some distance, even when it is hard to do so.

Hybrid learning is a new way of schooling that is unlike anything DHS has ever done before. There is no telling whether this model will be effective in preventing COVID exposure, but if everyone in the building plays their part, hybrid learning may be successful at keeping students safe from the virus.