Some students say they want to go back to the Carroll building full-time

As students begin to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, some may wonder whether they will be able to return to Archbishop Carroll full-time anytime soon.

In an unofficial survey conducted by this writer of 25 students in grades nine through 12, all respondents said they wanted to go back to 100 percent in-person classes for the fourth quarter.

“I love seeing my friends in-person that I only get to see in school, and I learn better face to face,” said Kerry Ann Dillon, a senior.

Some of the reasons students have given for wanting to end hybrid learning include: it’s harder to learn at home because it’s easier to get distracted, they want to see their friends and classmates again, they don’t like the whole virtual learning process, and they are tired of being home most of the time usually stuck in one spot like their room. 

“I want to be in school because it keeps me balanced and I get to see my friends,” said Faith Clark-Grant, a senior.

Before students went on Easter break, their parents received emails from the Carroll with a Google Form asking whether the parents would prefer their children remain in a hybrid learning program or move to 100 percent in-person classes. These choices would not be binding; they were just so the administration could see what the people wanted so Carroll could see what it could do to make it happen. Parents have said they want their children to go back full time; however, because of the spike in cases in southeast Pennsylvania, Carroll cannot consider it right now.

“I would want to see my child in school full time because I think students are more engaged and productive when they are physically present in class,” said Barbara Volpe, a Carroll staff member and the mother of this writer. “It would also give the seniors an opportunity to spend the last few weeks of their high school years together with all of their classmates, many of whom they have not been able to see because of the pandemic.”