Young Nevadans weigh in on learning from home as they adapt to the educational rigors brought by the pandemic.

Filipino-American kids of Las Vegas weigh in on the new School Year under the New Normal. 

August 24, 2020 is the official start of School Year 2020-2021! The CCSD Board approved purely online-based education for this year. Most parents would agree that learning from home in deference to Health and Safety is a win for everyone! These smart Nevadans speak their minds and even share a tip or two as we all venture into this #NewNormal, as a family, a community, as a country… 

 

  • CAROLINE JOY BANIAGA, 8 years old, now a proud 3rd grader. “I am very nervous because it’s a new school year and everything is new. Since you asked me, I prefer to go to physical school because it is more fun for me. But I will adjust like how I am shy at the beginning but then I learn to get used to the new things. I have love and support around me, like I have my school laptop and my mom’s laptop for back-up. So, I will do my best even if it is hard and I just want to tell everyone to be positive and be confident and like me, just try to do your very best.  

 

  • CHANEL PULIDO, 19 born & raised in Vegas, graduated from Clark High School now pursuing a double major in International Relations and Global Liberal Studies in New York University. Author of ”Good Americans: Redefining the Role of Asian Americans in a Post 2020 Era (expected publication 2021), deputy editor of Generasian and an NYU magazine focusing on the Asian American community & recipient of the Gold Key award for poetry, “A lot of people have been disappointed with having to take online classes. I understand where they’re coming from. The quality of education and the amount of student participation my classes last semester just wasn’t the same after we were forced to switch to remote classes. However, I think that was also because my professors had to suddenly change their teaching mode without given the training or time to learn how to use optimally use educational technology. I think with some work and creativity, we can use technology to enhance our educations rather than detract from it. I think the future of education will consist of more blended in-person and online tools.  Some of my classes are online, but most of them are blended in-person & online like for Environmental Science, French, East Asian Cultures, and this honors society I was selected for called the Dean’s Circle Scholars Program. I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to return to New York City, and to have parents that can support me throughout my education. Everyone is making decisions that they believe are best for them. Don’t be too hard on yourself; we’re all living through an unprecedented and incredibly difficult time, and it’s okay if you don’t come out of quarantine with a dozen new skills. Just stay safe; things will get better!” 

  • AELIXIR DE LEON, 12 years old, 7th grader at Canarelli Middle School., super talented dancer and athlete; an awesome son and brother to 2 kuyas and ates. “I am very grateful even with all the sad things going in because of Covid-19 as my family is safe and well. I know that it is boring, most of the stores I used to go to area all closed or would close early, plus I need to wear a mask all the time! I cannot go outside freely and to be honest I prefer going to school like before because it’s so much harder to focus at home! But like I said, I am very grateful because I learned to do other things like practicing guitar and baseball. I am also less stressed because there’s not a lot to keep up with. I can say that I’ve been a very good boy through all this, staying at home and helping my family out with a lot of chores and in basically anything, as much as I can. My only hope now is they find a cure so that we can all rebuild our lives and go back to normal and not fear for our health anymore. I wish good health and safety for everyone!

 

  • LANCE ARCHE GARCIA, 11 years old, student of Freedom Classical Academy. A genius, super trivia master, Lego enthusiast and art afficionado. Pictured with his nurturing and equally smart mom, Ann Arche Garcia.  “Going back to school from home is sad for me because I would rather be at school but I know it is better for everyone’s safety so I focus on the positive side of it, like how it is much easier now that I won’t have my friends and can just focus at home in my own little space bubble. What I want to just remind all the other kids is to just be yourself, make an effort like if you don’t have space in the living room, try to find a spot that can help you learn easier. While in your online classes, teach yourself to listen well. Do what can help you. “I am embracing this new policy now and learning to appreciate our nice new home, we just moved last month so I am having my own home adventures, and I love how my mom, Ann, won’t need to drive me anywhere, as we all need to consider safety, so my well-being and my mom being okay is what I am just focusing on right now.”

  • GODRIC MATTHEW VIERNES, incoming 6th Grade at Kenny C. Guinn Middle School, MAGNET PROGRAM. “I have always enjoyed going to school because my teachers were cool, I had awesome friends but since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, I became an introvert and who only stayed in touch with my friends through online apps and games. At first I was sad that school will not be the same anymore because I loved hanging out with my friends but I’ve seen the good things about staying home like we will be less stressed and anxious and I don’t have to worry about being late, because I don’t like being tardy or absent. I miss some of my friends from my old school already now, especially those whose numbers I failed to get because we didn’t anticipate school closing the way that it did so suddenly last spring. But I’ve had a taste of online learning because I have been learning to code with Code Central for 2 years now, so it’s like that but now, with everything, not just coding and robotics. And so, let’s all just cooperate with our parents and teachers better since it’s the first time for all of us, I know all things are hard at first, but we’ll eventually be okay and happy again.”  

 

  • DORIS DAI, 20 years old, Hilbert College Forensic Science Laboratory in Hamburg, New York. A scholar, multi-awarded academic superstar and also a cheerleader, awesome self-taught cook. Pictured with her boyfriend and best bud, Ben. “The pandemic changed my life because I got transferred to online learning since last July 2020. I couldn’t see my friends anymore and often feel like I cannot learn anything online as I am a more in-person learner. I also miss my friends and cool teachers.  I’ve been deeply immersed in genetics, public speaking, organic chemistry and also getting introduced to law and justice while keeping positive by learning new recipes like homemade guacamole, dairy-free gravy, beef stroganoff, pasta version of pancit canton and shrimp balls. My newfound passion for cooking has helped me take the pandemic in stride; I can impress everyone in the future with my Asian food recipes that help me stay busy, positive and motivated in these crazy pandemic times! 

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