By Samarah Guy  

Photo Courtesy: Alyssa Martinez

Many schools don’t have snow days anymore because Covid-19 opened a new world of virtual learning.  

GS has flexible instruction days, so students can do work from the comfort of their own home when the weather gets bad.  There are many advantages to FIDS days, but there are also many disadvantages.  

“I wouldn’t be comfortable doing online because I don’t get the hands on learning I need,” sophomore Nevaeh Hirst said.  

Many students need a teacher to physically show or help them when it comes to learning, and a computer screen doesn’t allow that to happen.  

Some teachers will make videos or step-by-step directions for the students, and many benefit from this because they can look back and make sure they are doing what is being asked.  

“If I were to virtually learn, I would slack off because there are more distractions for me at home,” Hirst commented.  

Distractions are more limited in school, and the teacher can bring the student’s attention back to the subject at hand. When the child is at home, anything around them can take their attention away from school because they are in their comfortable place.  

Students can also cheat on assignments using the technology around them. Not only is this not helping their brain work, but it’s also giving kids the opportunity to become dependent on technology.  

When GS has a FIDS day, many students may fall behind on their work or their grades may even lower.  

“When we do online my teachers usually don’t give work, but when they do, I don’t do it because I’m used to not having to,” junior Savannah Herring said.  

Some students may not be able to attend their virtual classes because they don’t have access to the items they need. Not being able to do work or log onto the live class, the students not only are falling behind on work, but they also will be marked absent.  

“I think if you have access to a computer or WIFI at home, you can benefit, but if you don’t have access, school shouldn’t hold you accountable for it,” U.S. government and politics teacher Ms. Sierra Aires said.