With the school’s first remote Friday starting this week on Feb. 7, participating students are looking forward to essentially having three-day weekends without missing out on attendance.

Students who are going to school in person need to report to school at the normal start time of 8:15 a.m. They will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Remote students need to sign into their second period classes at 9:03 a.m.

Tene Kelly, an assistant principal, says teachers will need to see students’ faces during the remote classes. “The biggest thing will be cameras will always be on,’’ she said. She encourages students to actively participate as if it were a “regular school day”.

Remote students will have no first period and wearing a uniform is not mandatory when visible on camera. However, order is still required both online and in person. “Rules and regulations still apply online, such as respectful discussion among peers,’’ she said.

Ms. Kelly is optimistic and is hopeful for the benefits remote learning will bring in general. “The world you are going into as adults has many remote aspects,’’ she said.
She thinks that including remote learning into the school schedule will help students become more independent and have a greater sense of responsibility.

As for the in-person students, Ms. Kelly says they will need to be “flexible” and keep an “open mind’’ as there may be some first-day confusion.

When coming into school, she says students should bring their IDs and bubble bags.

“Seating charts and periods might be different so students must be prepared,’’ she said. During lunch time, all students are required to go to the cafeteria as the hallways upstairs won’t be available. “That day isn’t intended for a play day,’’ she said. “It’s still considered a regular school day.”

If remote Fridays work well, the school plans to do nine more this semester. If the plan doesn’t work, it will be back to school for everyone.