High school students all across the valley were eager to come back to school in 2021, following several weeks of remote classes. Remote classes started the week before Thanksgiving break, and continued through winter break. Elementary and middle schools still remained in person throughout the end of last semester.

On January 6th, following a two week break and a teacher work day, high school students returned to in-person classes. Students coming back to school are still expected to follow the same guidelines as last semester, such as always wearing a mask and social distancing as much as possible.

Fruita Monument students are happy to be back in school, but it’s making the adjustment from winter break harder than usual. Usually students have two weeks to relax and catch up on sleep, but this year students haven’t physically been to school since early November. While school was still in session, going to a Google Meet in pajamas is much different than getting up for an eight hour school day. The adjustment has been harder, but students are ready to take on the challenges of the new semester.

While some students struggle with the lack of routine that remote learning brings, others thrive under the freedom. Regardless, most students agree that the social aspect of being physically in school is hard to replicate online. Being back in school this semester helps students connect with each other, the material, and their teachers.

This school year’s chaotic quarantining, online learning, and socially distanced events is no match for the strong willed nature of the Fruita Monument student body, who are back in session and ready to learn for this spring semester.