‘It’s kind of scary.’ Manatee opens new school year during COVID-19 pandemic

On Monday morning, the first day of school during the COVID-19 pandemic, Manatee County students arrived with excitement, apprehension and, in some cases, indifference to the challenges ahead.

“It’s just like a regular school day with a mask,” said Destiny Cano, a ninth-grade student at Palmetto High School.

Destiny, 14, was joined by 16-year-old Breanna Greene, a 10th-grade student at Palmetto High. The first day of school is usually buzzing with new and returning students, but on Monday morning, Breanna said she expected a quiet start to the 2020-21 school year.

“Many people are not coming to school,” she said.

District-wide, 48 percent of students returned to their campuses full time. Another 29 percent were enrolled in full-time online learning, while 23 percent were on the hybrid schedule, a mix of in-person and online classes, according to the school district.

Warren Pryce, an incoming ninth-grader, arrived at the school with a cloth mask and a readiness to face the unknown.

“I thought it would be fun coming back to school with my friends, hanging out and learning stuff, but so far it’s been a new experience,” he said.

More than half a dozen Palmetto High School employees were sent home after being exposed to COVID-19 on campus last week. The campus was among several district schools and offices to have confirmed cases and exposures this month, when educators returned for training.

Warren, 15, said he was concerned about catching the disease, though it was less about himself and more about the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others.

Wary of online learning and the quality of a virtual education, he chose a full-time return to campus.

“Going to school during this pandemic . . . it’s kind of scary,” Warren said.

Warren was joined by 17-year-old Darrell Williams, an 11th-grade student at the high school. Darrell said he would do “whatever it takes” to attend school and remain safe.

However uncomfortable it may be, that included wearing a mask, Darrell said, echoing similar concerns about catching and spreading COVID-19.

“I live with a grandmother,” he said. “I do not want to see that happen.”

Jared Lyons, 17, was one of the many teens already wearing his mask as he walked towards Manatee High School. “I really don’t think we should be opening up right now,” Jared said. “I feel right now the rates are too high in Florida.”

However, because of his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, Jared said he was forced to return for an in-person education.

“Staying home isn’t really an option for me or I’ll fail,” he said.

With a mask in her hand, 14-year-old Lydia Nixon said she was anxious, though her nerves had little to do with the pandemic and more to do with the first day of school.

“I’m more nervous to get to my classes,” she said.

Chadiste Garner put on a mask as she approached campus. She was excited to see her friends, and she hoped to stay safe by wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing.

“It feels good,” Chadiste said about being back on Manatee High’s campus. “I haven’t seen people in a long time.”

While about half of Manatee County’s traditional students were returning to their campuses for full-time classes, the percentage was often higher at elementary school. According to data from late July, the percentage of elementary students returning to in-person classes ranged from 57 to 82 percent at each campus.

Amanda Rhoden said her daughter jumped out of bed, grabbed her first-day-of-school outfit and made her way to Ballard Elementary School on Monday morning.

“She’s excited,” Rhoden said. “She wants to meet new people. Kind of nervous, though, because of all this stuff going on.”

It was her daughter’s first day of kindergarten. Rhoden chose the traditional schedule — five days of in-person learning — to give her daughter social interaction with the teachers and fellow students. Rhoden said she stressed the importance of social distancing, regular hand-washing and wearing a mask.

Her daughter was uncomfortable with the face covering, which always seemed too tight or loose, but the 5-year-old grew more comfortable with some adjustments and time.

“I told her it was important, so she’s trying to get used to wearing the mask,” Rhoden said. “That’s one of the hardest things for her.”

At Jesse P. Miller Elementary School, a sudden downpour sent parents and students running for cover.

Tawanda Monix said her three children — ages 10, 9 and 6 — were excited to be back in school, although she had her own concerns.

“It’s kind of scary, because I work in nursing,” Monix said. “We really have no other choice with both of us working.”

Tara Conners said she faced the same predicament. She had to work, and for that reason, her son had to attend in-person classes.

“I work at a preschool. We haven’t closed at all,” Conners said. “I work with 1-year-olds.”

“I’m a little more nervous than usual on the first day,” she continued, expressing concern for her 7-year-old son, David.

David was only “so-so” excited walking up to the school, he explained, gesturing with his hand. The reason he gave: COVID-19.

More COVID-19 cases in Manatee

In its daily update on Monday, several hours after school began, the Florida Department of Health reported 68 new COVID-19 cases in Manatee County, while the death toll remained at 245. There were a total of 9,843 local cases and 576,094 statewide cases since the pandemic began.

Nearly 140 children tested positive for COVID-19 in Manatee County between Aug. 3 to 16, according to a report from the state health department.

As of 12:30 p.m. on Monday, there were no known COVID-19 exposures on the first day of school, said Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, addressing local reporters.

“The kids were excited,” she said. “They were excited to see their friends, they were excited to be back, and I think they just want their life to be as normal as possible. I think that’s what today brought.”

Local high schools ended the day at 2:25 p.m., and David Biggs, a student at Palmetto High School, said he was happy with all the safety measures he witnessed on the first day.

Some students ate their lunch in the cafeteria, using seats that were marked and spaced out, while others ate outside. Hallways were also split into lanes, keeping students spread apart as they walked in opposite directions, David said.

“I don’t know about other schools, but this one particularly, they’re trying to keep everyone distanced and as safe as possible,” he said. “It’s going to be really hard for them to maintain but I believe they can do it.”

At Palmetto High School, students exiting their first day of classes saw the importance of the new safety measures. Still, they will take some time to get used to.

“Adjusting to a new environment is weird,” said Domenic Jackson, a 16-year-old starting his 10th grade year at Palmetto High. “They were really big on masks and sanitizer.”

After her first day back, Breanna Greene said that she felt safe inside of the school. But wearing a mask all day long will be a big adjustment, she added.

Senior Jamaal Barnes, 17, agreed.

“I don’t really like it with the mask on my face all the time,” Jamaal said. However, he said he felt that school staff and students were doing the right thing to keep everyone safe.

“Stay COVID-free and keep your mask on,” Jamaal said.

For now, Jamaal will only have to deal with wearing a mask for two days a week, as he is taking classes on a hybrid schedule.

Outside of the learning environment, students noticed another aspect of school that COVID-19 has changed: socializing.

“We have to walk certain ways through the hallways, always six feet apart,” said Breanna. Some of Greene’s friends had also opted for at-home learning and were not there to share in the first day of school.

On his first ever day of high school, Angel Gonzalez, 14, noticed how silent his classmates were.

“People that didn’t know each other were spread out, apart. It was mainly silent,” Angel said. For Angel, it was also his first time venturing outside of his home in months. He said that he still has a positive outlook on the school year and the COVID-19 situation.

“It’s going to keep changing,” he said.

This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 10:43 AM.