Everyone who attends NKHS understands how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how the school runs, with things like online school and one-way hallways. Many don’t understand the toll on mental health it has taken.

AP Psychology teacher Mr. Sean Lane says that quarantine and COVID-19 have impacted the mental health of students “quite a bit.” He believes the level that it affects students’ mental health “varies from person to person.”

The pandemic has affected students and staff members in countless negative ways. This ranges from increased stress to increased anxiety.

According to an interview done with Positive Alternative to In-School Suspension teacher Mrs. Cindy Zito via email, the pandemic has worsened mental health “because of all of the unknowns with this disease, it triggered more anxiety for some.”

The gap between online students and in-school students also raises a potential conflict. Those who are always at home or at home for the day could get away with cheating on quizzes and tests. This could create more pressure for in-school students as they will be taking those quizzes and tests aware that online students have a potential advantage.

Online school also creates pressure for in-school students in a negative way. This could be due to knowing that at home students could easily get away with cheating on a test or a quiz. This creates issues for teachers as well, raising the question of if quizzes and tests should be open notes instead, to try to even the playing field. Some teachers also struggle with the technology that they have to use now, as they may not be comfortable with it. “I just had a Google Meet were I meant to mute but accidentally left,” said Mr. Lane. 

According to Lane, the changes caused due to Coronavirus create a lot of problems for teachers as well. “We were all used to a schedule that we had.” 

Lane also said that the way attendance now works is also problematic for teachers, “I think even attendance is confusing; teachers struggle with if you mark someone as virtually present, present, or absent. When you start a Google Meet you are waiting for people, you want to give them some time but when do you cut off that time?”

COVID-19 may not only affect the mental health of students, teachers and staff members but could impact the culture and community of NKHS.

Lane believes that “it takes a while for culture to change.” If things were to stay this way for a long period of time, school culture could be affected, but only after a few years. Lane says that if something were to change about the culture at NKHS, it would have to do with being more concerned about hygiene, such as washing hands for longer and more often. 

The staff at NK is still trying to keep things similar to how they were before and keep the spirits of students up. Despite the challenges that COVID-19 is causing, maintaining a strong and positive culture at the school is important. 

Zito said, “I believe, despite the changes and challenges to this school year, we are trying to maintain a positive school culture. A strong sense of community is important and this will help students get through the ups and downs of this time.”

Some students wonder if the school does enough for students in terms of their mental health. Others believe that the school is currently doing fine when it comes to trying to help with students’ mental health.

“I think North Kingstown High School has a wonderful team of supporters,” said Zito. “Along with outside agencies, like the student assistance counselors and the team in guidance, along with the social worker and psychologist, NKHS is meeting the needs of students.”

Zito’s and Lane’s thoughts on this subject differ a bit. Both agree that the staff at the team at the school is good, but Lane thinks that schools, in general, could do a better job of helping students’ mental health, but does not know how he would go about doing it. A possible reason why it may feel like schools do not do a good job at helping students is because of the privacy of the subject.

Online school, while already having a fair share of issues, also does not allow students and teachers to bond with each other like in-school is able to. Students and teachers are lacking the connections they had which makes it more difficult for students to learn or want to learn. 

“Connecting with students virtually is fine, but it certainly, in my opinion, does not replace an in-person connection,” Zito said.

Lane agrees with Zito, saying that it’s “hard to get to know people.” With only online connections, forming true bonds with both students and teachers has become much more difficult than it was in previous years.

With all that said, there are ways that one can deal with how COVID-19 affects their mentality and health. 

A recommendation Lane has for students is to get some time outside due to all the time that they spend on screens. Reading a book, cooking, exercising, and other activities that are away from computers can help.

Despite how difficult COVID-19 and quarantine has made these times, we can all still get through this. Remember that if you are ever feeling down that there are people out there, whether it be friends, family, teachers, members of the school staff, or others that can help you. Stay strong and look towards the future.