B-A steps into post-COVID world

B-A+steps+into+post-COVID+world

Olivia Hess, Staff Writer

Many of the restrictions that have been in place for Covid-19 have been lifted for this school year.  This change allows day-to-day life to be back to “normal.”

One of the first adjustments made is the cafeteria being at full capacity again. For the past two years, students in all three lunch periods have been separated into different eating spaces. Some ate in the cafeteria, media center, and two years ago, students could eat in the hallway. 

Another change is that students now have full access to both staircases in the building. One staircase was previously used for going upstairs, and the other staircase was for going downstairs. 

Junior, Carsyn Gilbert, says that she likes having the two-way staircases implemented again.  She thinks that getting to class is easier, and the stairs keep things moving quickly.

Lockers were only to be used in the morning, before and after lunch, and at the end of the day. That precaution was implemented to keep the hallways as clear as possible.  However, lockers are now able to be visited in-between periods, as another freedom that BA students have again.

An additional adjustment for this year involves the contact-tracing guidelines. If a student is identified to have come in close contact with a COVID-positive classmate, it is recommended, but not required, that the student wears a mask for ten days after the contact. This allows as many students as possible to safely be in the school. 

These changes should improve overall attendance. Mrs. Beth Zitterbart, B-A’s attendance secretary, said she anticipates to see fewer absences due to most restrictions being lifted in the school.