By Isabelle Caplin
When I walked into school on March 11, like many, I had no clue what that day would bring. I might have used my day differently if I’d have known that it would be my last day of middle school.
In social studies, we had a test the next day that we were all dreading. At art, we were discussing COVID-19, but we all assumed that it was just like the flu. In chorus, my teacher told me that both SCMEA and my math tournament would most likely be canceled, and Multicultural Night, where we were supposed to sing “Ole,” was postponed, later to be canceled.
At lunch, everyone was talking about how the girls basketball team had to elbow-bump instead of high-five. We all agreed that this was preposterous, because everyone was already touching the same ball.
In ELA, we started a project that we were all excited for, and I was able to partner with my best friend. We also received the subject we wanted, which we were happy about.
The day was a normal day by most standards; a few things were canceled, but we never expected what came next.
When I got home, I studied for the social studies test the next day and did my homework. At 5:30, I went to my swim team practice, just like any other day. We were all practicing extra hard for states, which were supposed to happen in two weeks.
At 7:30, when swimming was released, my mom and sister were waiting inside the YMCA by the entrance to the locker rooms. They never came out of the car at the end of practice, because they didn’t like how hot and sticky the air was.
I climbed out of the pool with my friends and walked over to my mom and sister to ask why they had come in today.
My mom told me that school was out for the week while they figured out how to deal with coronavirus. I wasn’t super excited with the idea, but my mom was, and she went on and on about all of the projects around the house we could finally get done, like redoing the bookshelves. Ugh!
The whole team crowded around me and went on and on about how lucky I was and how they wished their school closed. Some of the swimmers’ parents were teachers, and they were not happy about this, because they figured that their schools would be next.
I took extra time getting ready and chatting with my friends, because I had no school the next day and I didn’t have to study anymore.
We were all annoyed with the phrase “with an abundance of caution” — because that was what all emails canceling something started with.
On the way home I asked Lily (my sister) how her first lacrosse practice was. She said it was great. What we didn’t know was: That would be her first and last practice. Swimming wasn’t canceled yet, so we still had practice the next day.
I spent the whole day reorganizing the bookshelves. It looked nice afterward but was definitely not the most fun way to start the week off. I guess the first day should represent quarantine as a whole: boring.
I was supposed to have teen writing that Thursday, but all library programs were canceled with “an abundance of caution.”
Other schools started to follow Sag Harbor’s lead in the coming days and weeks, and, that next week, swimming closed. We received a long email of all of the things that were canceled or postponed, and it filled two whole pages in a very small font.
Suddenly, the number of deaths started to go up, and things became serious. We all had to wear masks, and my family started to watch Governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily talks. There were toilet paper shortages, and school was canceled for another two weeks. Online learning started.
Time went by, every week adding two more weeks of no more school, until the whole year was canceled. It was expected but still very sad. Time went by so slowly but at the same time very quickly.
Now, finally, things are starting to open up, and we’re able to see our friends — but it’s not the same. We have to wear masks, and no matter how much we need it, we can’t hug a friend. Summer was very different: We couldn’t have sleepovers or see our grandparents. We can’t travel or have beach parties.
What we can do is make the most of what we have and be grateful for surviving this ordeal. We must look forward with an open mind and heart.
I know we all will remember all of the bad things that came from quarantine, and in history classes years from now they’ll only learn the death toll — but I like to focus on the good things that came out of it. As someone I know calls it, “the weird positives.”
We’ve gotten to spend more time with our immediate family and more time for our hobbies. Although it may be difficult not to focus on the fact that we can’t see friends or family members who don’t live with us, we must try to focus on the “weird positives.” Whatever those might be for you, focus on them and share them with your friends and family.
Now that school has started, I feel like I have a true routine again, which is wonderful. I never knew how much I missed school and just regular life, until now. Now, we have to wear masks to school and stay 6 feet away from each other, but that’s a small price to pay to keep everyone safe while being in school. Even on the three days when I’m remote, I have a routine and I have lots of fun.
The school has done so well in all of their planning, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a Whaler!
I’ll leave you on a note that I know might be overused during quarantine, but I still love: Air hug!
Isabelle Caplin is a ninth grade student at Pierson High School.