During the first week of March, the rumors about all students coming back to school have been proven true. Beginning in fourth quarter, April 6, 2021, all grades will be able to return to school fully in person.

After almost a year of learning virtually and going to school on a hybrid schedule, BSM has begun formulating a plan to safely bring all students back to school. As of now, BSM will be giving each student two options, either learn all virtually or be fully in person. “We will want to make it mandatory to choose to be full in person or full online. Otherwise it would be really hard to coordinate with hybrid, all online and all in person. We’re trying to figure out which options are best for teachers,” assistant principal Cami Dahlstrom said.

The capability to bring everyone back to school is possible because of the available overflow spaces and the upcoming warm weather. “We have the ability to bring more numbers back because we can eat lunch outside, we can have phy ed classes outside, the Cube is open and vaccines are available for the teachers. We are able to bring at least 100 more kids back in the overflow spaces,” Dahlstrom said.

Students that are unable to be in the classroom will be able to zoom into their designated class from any location. Common spaces such as the Cube or atrium will be able to hold some of the overflow students in addition to the desks in the hallway.

Additionally, social distancing will still be enforced; however, according to the CDC (Center of Disease Control) it has now been reduced to three feet apart. This offers more space for additional students in each classroom and lunch areas. “So even with the CDC requirements, we can now go down to three feet instead of the original six feet. Depending on each classroom there will be a different amount of overflow numbers,” Dahlstrom said.

The opportunity to return to school in person is quite exciting for everyone, especially for the seniors. The class of 2021 is quite fortunate to be able to attend school in person for their last quarter of high school. “I think it’s good that everyone is coming back. It will definitely be weird, but I think it’ll be a good change. I’m excited, especially because I’m a senior and these will be my last months of high school,” senior Carly Green said.

Considering that it is the last stretch of high school for BSM seniors, it makes it even more special that the class will be able to reunite in person. “I’m super excited for everyone coming back to school because I will be able to see some people that I haven’t seen in a whole year. I’m looking forward to having classes with all my friends now and seeing people from the other cohort,” senior Rachael Brooks said.