Starting November 9, 2020, the students of Manchester High School have an important decision to make: are they going to choose to stay in virtual school or return to in-person learning? High schoolers in the Chesterfield County Public Schools system are in the 4th cohort or group of students that are returning to the school building this week after the school board determined it is safe for students to return to face-to-face instruction. 

Many students, however, already knew what they were going to do before the return date. Many of the students interviewed for this story said they were returning to the school building in November. Freshmen Anna Curren explained that “I want some type of freshman experience, even if I have to wear a mask.” 

CCPS is mandating social distancing and the requirement of face masks while in the school building. Getting to return to school is worth following these safety measures for students like Anna.

“Virtual hasn’t been easy for me, I feel if I’m in the school building I can learn and work so much easier,” Anna said. “We’ve been doing virtual for so long and I just can’t deal with it anymore.” 

Chloe Stephens, another freshman, said “I’m going back. I like in-person interaction better than virtual. I also focus more at school than home.” 

Though most of the students interviewed for this story said they were returning to in-person instruction, a few said they were staying virtual. Sarah Smiley, a freshman, said that “I can’t risk getting my dad sick. My mom thinks I could get it easily if people are not taking the right precautions.” 

Another freshman, who wished to remain anonymous, said that “As soon as one student gets it [COVID-19], then everyone is going to be sent back home. Then, just like last year, one day of being out of school will turn into two weeks, and two weeks will turn into the rest of the year. To me, that’s not a good freshman experience. None of that sounds fun to me.” 

Information regarding school safety and COVID-19 can be found at mychesterfieldschools.com/coronavirus-information/.