Observations: Winter break will give way to spring changes

Winter is coming, and I’m not just quoting my current favorite series. With winter and series binging comes the long-awaited Christmas break.

Last year at this time, parents would be shopping for their children, trying to find the perfect holiday program attire. Teachers would be working tirelessly to fit in as many festive lesson plans as possible. College students would be solidifying winter recess plans; a ski trip with friends or family bonding. Seeing that Cal State Bakersfield will be on break from Dec. 8 until the beginning of the spring semester, Jan. 25, a student can do both. The Wasco Union School District Christmas break will be Dec. 21 through Jan. 4; Maple School students have the same time off.

Based on a number of conversations, the holiday recess this year seems to be much more anticipated than previous years, for both the students and staff. The school year has been quite tumultuous, and with the winter break fast approaching, there’s plenty of question. What will it look like this year? How will the time be spent, and what can students, K-12 and college alike, look forward to?

Post break, Wasco Union School students will “definitely” be completing the third quarter via distance learning, says Superintendent Kelly Richers, as he takes a call while also attending a Zoom meeting with the Kern County superintendent of schools, covering the latest restrictions and guidelines of the “Purple Tier.”

The discussions to “stay open” are ongoing, with Richers making assurances, “This is a statewide issue, with the main goal to limit the number of student exposures.” Maple School Principal Stephanie Trickey concurs, “We are all doing our best to put a great plan in place. Unfortunately that does take time.”

CSU Bakersfield student Isabel Romero is living with changes at the college level. “CSUB is conducting classes virtually for Spring 2021 in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Although online classes propose their own challenges, I believe CSUB is doing a great job of trying to keep students safe. Now, would normally be the time to gather with my entire family but due to the pandemic, my family is taking precautions to keep our loved ones healthy.”

It has been a drastically different school year than ever predicted, and students and staff members are showing tenacity to power through.

And don’t overlook the parents.

Local mother Estella Armenta said her children will be spending Christmas break this year at home with the family. “We will still keep to our traditions even though it will be different. We’re just happy to have each other.”

”Navidad sigue siendo Navidad, el espíritu sigue vivo. Los niños están felices y agradecidos independientemente.” -- translating to “Christmas is Christmas, the spirit is alive. The children will be happy, regardless of the circumstances.”