With the beginning of the second marking period starting on Monday, Nov. 16, many students who originally opted to learn fully remote switched over to the hybrid schedule. If they made the decision to continue learning virtually instead, this choice would be binding. The students joined others at CHS who are divided into two cohorts and either attend school on Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday.

In order to return to school for the second marking period, guidance counselor Melanie Sambataro explained that students needed to take certain measures.

“Parents and students were emailed by Mr. Gleason for steps to take,” Sambataro said. “A form needed to be filled out indicating the student’s intent to return for marking period two. Forms were turned into building principals.”

Many teachers at CHS have encouraged students to return to school for learning purposes. Science and health teacher Leah Morgan feels that there are several benefits to taking advantage of the hybrid plan.

“I think the hybrid schedule allows students to have face-to-face time with their teachers which helps most students learn better,” Morgan said. “Students also get to socialize with each other which is very important. Overall I feel like some school experience is better than fully virtual school.”

These factors have led sophomore Skyler Glusman of Middletown to return to CHS, a change in routine for which she is thrilled.

“I’m most excited to meet my teachers in person and be able to see my friends when I return to school…I think that I have been learning pretty well doing virtual but I think in school I’ll have less distractions,” Glusman said.

Senior Michael Rau of Manalapan attended school virtually during the first marking period because he wanted to see how the hybrid plan would play out. He made the decision to return to school because if he decided to not go back, then his decision would be binding. He plans to see how school goes and then decide if he wants to change his mind and return to all-virtual learning.

“Undoubtedly going to school is a higher risk than staying home… so if there’s something bad that happens, we are not going to hesitate to go home but we want to stay as long as possible,” Rau said.

Aside from the potential risks of attending school, Rau is excited to return to CHS.

“I cherish every time I could see someone virtually or outside far apart but it will be different seeing people every day and I’m looking forward to that. It seems like the school has been doing [the hybrid plan] very safely.”