It’s been five weeks, everyone has adapted to life in quarantine, and you’re not forced to get stuck behind the same painfully slow driver in the mornings anymore. In a way, life is pretty relaxing; however, there is still so much uncertainty about the future which has led to a number of rumors swirling around Bloomington. 

TIme to clarify.

• Graduation

So, obviously everyone has already heard the news that there will be a virtual graduation, but there was still hope that an actual graduation might actually take place and that hope led to the belief that if the virus clears up then there will be one. On the contrary, all-star guidance counselor Pat Cannon said the chances are “slim to none…with 400 graduates even if things open up we still have social distancing to keep in mind.” This news is definitely upsetting to senior families, but we have to keep in mind that loads of grandparents attend graduation, and it would be silly to risk a loved one’s life just for graduation. Some families may hold group graduations together, but the official one will be restricted to a screen. Possibly the biggest hit would be the prevention of graduation parties as those are often times to say farewell to our favorite mentors and huge sources of gift money that can go toward post-high school endeavors.

• The 2020-21 school year

Hopefully it doesn’t have to come down to this, but there has been a notable fear of school not starting back up in August. Colleges all around the nation have been discussing going online for their fall semester but there hasn’t been any indication from the local level. Purdue announced on Tuesday that it was planning to have students on campus during the fall. Cannon said there has been “no talk about when school will start for next year. At this point it will be up to the governor and the Department of Education.” It’s hard to imagine that the pandemic would make it through the summer before cases became minuscule or a vaccine came out, but 2020 has proven to be a strange year already. The Spanish Flu pandemic lasted from 1918-1920; however, we are definitely more medically advanced than we were 100 years ago.

• Grades

Another topic of concern was how grades would be handled through the e-learning process. A few teachers sent out emails to their students informing them of the situation, and those students shared the information with others, but there was still uncertainty. To clarify, Cannon said students “can take their grade before spring break or their grade at the end of the school year.” Students cannot be penalized for work they did not do during e learning. Teachers are still encouraging students to check in on Canvas and keep up with work, however, especially in AP and ACP classes.  Another perk of the online school is that for most classes, there won’t be finals. But be sure to check with your teachers to be sure.

“E-learning is okay. Everyone has been put in a difficult situation. I believe we are doing the best we can, both teachers and students,” said Cannon.

• Prom

This probably doesn’t need much clarification, but for everyone who still had hope for a prom, it’s not happening. First, a huge part of prom, though, was the fundraising that the class committees would do for it, and with social distancing in place, there is no way to raise that money. Second, it’s not safe to bring so many people together in a time like this; although, it’s understandable how much everyone wanted to dance in an atrium that matches the humidity of a summer day in Florida. Similar to graduation, there have been groups that have discussed having individual proms. Be honest, though, did anyone really enjoy prom that much?

With only two more weeks of school left, it will be interesting to see any new developments and how the end of the school year pans out. Above all, though, is what the state decides on the 2020-21 school year. We wish good health on everyone and stay safe.