Saucon Valley has returned this school year 5 days a week! Going back to school during a pandemic is something we started to believe was impossible. I’m sure

we also never thought this whole pandemic would be a possibility. Schools in the Lehigh Valley are either hybrid, or completely online. Saucon Valley High School, located in Hellertown, returned to school full-time. It’s definitely an experience us high-schoolers never thought would happen.

Saucon Valley has taken many precautions to keep us safe. Students must wear masks at all times, even when seated at desks that are 6 feet apart. Since the school is basically a circle, we were able to do one-way hallways. Students and teachers must follow the hallway direction at all times during the day. Temperature checks are mandatory upon entering the building, and hand sanitizer is provided at every entrance. In science classrooms, students are required to sit at tables, which doesn’t do well with social distancing. Glass barriers were put up between students in those science classrooms to allow for similar education while following guidelines.

This probably is similar to precautions taken at schools participating in hybrid- learning. The only difference is Saucon Valley students have to face all of this 5 days a week. Monday; temperature check, one way halls. Tuesday; temperature check, one way halls. Wednesday; temperature check, one way halls. Same for Thursday and Friday. As much as me and the rest of the Students at Saucon complain, we are definitely grateful we get to come in everyday and see each other. Saucon Valley is keeping us safe, while allowing us to re-enter into a somewhat normal school schedule. To reduce students in the building, administration has begun a “senior privilege” rule, which allows seniors to opt out of classes they didn’t necessarily need in their schedule. This lets seniors leave the school at times they don’t have a class.

Saucon Valley’s 5-day week is definitely exciting for us seniors who thought we wouldn’t have a senior year. This school is providing us with a safe and happy year!