Few long-standing high school traditions have been able to stick during this unusual school year, but Skyview High School made one happen Monday: the human tunnel.
“That’s been a tradition as long as I can remember,” senior Elle Tangvald said.
Skyview’s student leadership and cheerleaders formed a human tunnel — socially distanced, of course — to greet the Storm’s student body as they finally returned to their school building on a twice-weekly schedule. High schools in Vancouver, plus the Battle Ground and Hockinson school districts, welcomed all high school students back into classrooms nearly a year to the day when schools were closed because of coronavirus concerns: March 13, 2020.
At Skyview, the Vancouver district’s largest high school, about 600 students arrived Monday; another 600 will get their first taste of in-person instruction Thursday. Freshmen returned last week and were also greeted with a human tunnel.
Tangvald, a 17-year-old senior headed to Washington State University in the fall, said she didn’t hesitate when in-person instruction became an option to close out the year. She said she thrives on the link between students and teachers, and didn’t want to miss in-person instruction in the final months of her high school career.
“I’ve had so many great connections with teachers throughout high school,” Tangvald said. “I think it’s really important that I can make a good, last impression before I leave.”
Second-year Principal Andy Meyer’s mission Monday included spending more time away from his office. He roamed the halls and visited classrooms to check with students and staff.
While safety remains a top priority, building leadership also has students in mind when implementing procedures. Lunchtime, for example, has more of a creative flair, with trivia and games offered for students. Meyer said about 70 percent of Skyview’s students chose hybrid learning, where they come to school two days per week and attend from home the rest of the time.
“We have to keep our kids safe,” Meyer said, “but we want to also make this a positive experience.”
Luke Glassett teaches Advanced Placement World History, and is busy trying to prepare students for their Advanced Placement testing date on May 20. He launched straight into his lesson Monday.
Many secondary teachers across Clark County now have a balancing act of spreading their attention among students in their classroom and students tuning in remotely. It’s a simultaneous challenge, Glassett said, but he doesn’t see multiple student audiences ready to learn.
“The way I look at it,” he said, “they’re one group for me.”
