After having classes on Zoom for nearly two years, Costa students, old and new, have finally returned to campus to resume in-person learning.
Wednesday, Aug. 25 marked a new school year for students and teachers as 2,436 Costa students returned to campus. However, unlike last year, there is no hybrid option being offered to students.
“There is an independent study program available for students who cannot return to school,” Principal Dr. Karina Gerger said. “Otherwise, the only option available in Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) is in-person learning.”
Before entering, students are required to fill out a Ruvna screening that ensures they are symptom-free and fit to be on campus everyday. Because of the rise of the Delta Variant, this screening has recently been updated for students to include more known symptoms of COVID-19, such as running nose, indigestion, sore throat, and fever and chills. In classrooms, students, as well as teachers, are required to wear masks, and recent changes have required that they wear them outside too.
“Teachers and staff understand the importance of social distancing and wearing masks, and remind students when needed,” Dr. Gerger said. “As the COVID-19 situation in our country and our community is evolving, we urge you to take necessary precautions to limit coronavirus spread in our community.”
In classrooms, teachers are required to have assigned seating for students in the event that a student becomes sick and they need to do contact tracing. However, despite these safety measures, there have been four confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst students.
“I think the teachers and staff have been doing a great job with social distancing, and the students have been great about wearing their masks,” senior and ASB Vice President Natalie Lynch said. “I think everyone is trying their best because we all just really want to stay in-person.”
In an email addressed to the Mira Costa High School Community, Principal Dr. Gerger talked about the most recent COVID-19 case confirmed on campus, which happened Sept. 21.
“In addition to physical distancing, another important tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, stay at home when you are sick, clean and disinfect frequently touched items and surfaces and wear a mask or face covering,” Principal Dr. Gerger wrote. “If you do develop symptoms of COVID-19, it is important that you get a PCR or molecular COVID-19 test.”
Seniors Gather at Waller Stadium to Watch the Sunrise
The first day of school also brought on a new tradition called Senior Sunrise where Costa seniors arrived to Waller Stadium at 6:15 a.m. to watch the sunrise together, and hear speeches from Senior Class President Trevor Verbiest, ASB President Kimiya Torabi, ASB Vice President Natalie Lynch, ASB advisor, Lisa Claypoole, Senior Vice Principal Jennifer Hyunh, and new Principal Dr. Karina Gerger.
“In a meeting with a few current and past Costa students over the summer, Dr. Gerger introduced the idea of the sunrise,” Lynch said. “Since the Sunset Strand Stroll tradition started a few years ago, Dr. Gerger thought it would be a fun idea to start the year with a sunrise and end it with a sunset. The people in the room loved the idea and decided to make it happen. It’s a great tradition, and I’m so excited to see it continue for future classes.”
Approximately 275 seniors attended the sunrise and, throughout the event, were required to wear facial coverings. Doughnuts were available to students, however many of them were left untouched, and the Class of 2022 wore the “Saddle Up” shirts they received at registration and gathered on the field to take a class picture together, done by Ralf’s Photography who also photographed the senior portraits.
“So much of the senior class was there,” Lynch said. “I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people at 6 a.m. and almost everyone had their ‘Saddle Up’ shirts on.”
During speeches, many of the speakers pointed out that, due to COVID-19, seniors are the only students to have actually spent a full year on campus, so they are the leading example for the standards Costa has for each and every student.
“This school year, I hope we can all stay on campus and make the most of the year by going to school events while also staying safe,” Lynch said. “I really just hope we can all make up for lost time and experiences.”
At the end of the school year, the sunrise tradition will come full circle for seniors when they participate in the Senior Sunset Strand Stroll. The final walk will take place in June on the Manhattan Beach Strand following graduation, where students will look back at their Costa memories and look forward to their future endeavors.
“It was a great turn out for our first annual MCHS Senior Sunrise,” Principal Dr. Gerger said. “A huge thank you to all of the seniors who came, and we hope that this can be a tradition moving forward in years to come.”
New Office Hours Schedule
A now old tradition returning to Costa is Office Hours however, they are being held differently this year.
Students are given two separate 57 minute blocks of time that they use to study, do homework, get extra help from teachers, and more. At the start of each block, students can check in by using the QR codes posted by teachers in classrooms, or codes hung up around campus. However, instead of occurring every full week of school, they are taking place only twice a month.
“Office Hours are scheduled throughout the year on some Wednesdays,” Principal Dr. Gerger said. “We have included some assemblies and pep rallies into full week Wednesdays in order to avoid interruptions to direct instruction.”
The first official assembly took place on Sept. 22 after third period. The assembly, called the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Assembly, was hosted by English teacher Ms. DiBernardo, as well as counselors, vice principals, and Dr. Gerger, and focused on the struggles students have been going through during COVID-19 times and how to remain close, while still being safe, with friends. During the assembly, teachers were instructed to have their students take a moment of silence to meditate and practice breathing exercises. However, despite being made to help and encourage students, some did not find it beneficial.
“I personally believe that Office Hours are more beneficial,” senior Kirra Conner said. “While the assemblies talk about releasing stress through meditation, Office Hours gives us the time to actually release this stress by getting ahead on our workloads.”
On Zoom, Office Hours were held every week on Wellness Wednesdays and had different departments available during each block. On campus, the History, English, and Language departments are available during AM Office Hours, and the Math and Science departments are available during PM Office Hours. Because of COVID, students are expected to find a place to sit, whether it be in a classroom or outside and stay there for each Office Hour block. The next Office Hours will take place on Sept. 29.
“We have had a successful couple of weeks,” Principal Dr. Gerger said. “Ensuring that you and our educational environment is safe is of greatest importance to us. For additional questions about Coronavirus in Los Angeles County, please visit the LA County Department of Public Health coronavirus webpage at COVID-19 Media Page – LA County Department of Public Health.”
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