On Monday, June 7th announcements, LAUSD’s Superintendent Austin Beutner has confirmed, “all students will have the opportunity to participate in full-day, on-campus, in-person instruction” for the 2021-2022 school year.

In addition to this information, “middle school and high school students will be on campus 5 days a week for a full schedule of instruction” also allowing for, “after school programs … available until 6 pm.”

As this information surfaced on June 7th, 2021, it allows for a comparison between students’ predictions on how the 2021-2022 school year may play out and Beutner’s plans for LAUSD students.

However, reflecting on the past school year, as it nears its end, students began to question if they should look forward to a return of normalcy for next semester.

The end of this semester has brought the Hybrid School model which allows for students to return to campus in a safe in-person learning environment. Although this is an example of progress toward opening schools completely, it is unknown if the next school year will be handled with a modified learning model. 

Student Ricardo Munoz isn’t bothered by the possibility of a return to school next semester with a different learning model he compares, “I wouldn’t mind a change … I am already used to the Hybrid Model even though I didn’t like it at first”.

Similar to Munoz’s beliefs, student Melani Luna is accepting of another modified schedule, explaining, “I don’t mind if we had a similar schedule,” with the expectation of, “possibly wearing masks for our safety”.

Although the teacher, Ms. Wu, has somewhat of a “reluctant” feeling toward an in-person experience for the 2021-2022 school year, in terms of returning to a modified schedule she elaborates, “I’ll do it … the motherly, teacherly part of me is very supportive of coming back because not only do I miss my students, I really want them to succeed in an emotionally safe environment that allows them to thrive and bloom,” also taking into consideration, “Sometimes, certain students need to see some teachers every day because they offer that safety net for emotional safety and learning”.

In contrast, student Emilio Urrutia is against any sort of modified learning model, “I think it should be the traditional schedule because eventually the school is going to have to return to it … it would be better if it was done from the beginning”.

If the school were to return to its traditional schedule next school year, additional rules may apply for students. In addition to the rules that are already being given by the state of California.

Munoz expects, “I think we’ll wear face masks and social distance … hand sanitizer all around the school just to be safe,” but hopes, “maybe, later on, we won’t have to do all of that”.

In addition, Ms. Wu is in anticipation of,  “the school and district requir[ing] vaccines to all healthy individuals before coming to campus the way we do tetanus, measles, or smallpox”. 

Student Julian Araiza expects a different take on nutrition and lunch, “I think nutrition will be longer to give teachers more time to clean the classroom, having everything set for the next … then for lunch students may have to eat inside of class for safety reasons”.

Furthermore, Urrutia believes, although he would like a return of the traditional school schedule, he expects some subtle changes, “I’m expecting limiting passing zones and blocked off areas … after school, there might be a limit to activities like clubs and attempts to clear the campus of students”.

Ultimately, although only time will tell what school will be like next semester, students have hopeful expectations that continue to keep regarding the health of their peers. Based on what was experienced this and last semester, students anticipate a better time for the coming school year.