Mercedes, 16 – Hartford CT

An actual email I sent my college preparation teacher:

“This isn’t about the google meet, but I just wanted to say, do you guys realize how stressed the Junior class is? And not because we can’t do the work, because I assure you we are all capable, but because of the quantity of things we are expected to do now.

We are given more responsibility around the house because we “have more time.” We are given more school work because we “have more time.”\

 

Many of us have at least one younger sibling, which requires at the very least surveillance. A lot of us don’t have the luxury of a private room where we can do work, or class calls. Our houses may be even crowded, loud, and busy all of the time.

We’re going to be seniors next year, and all we know is how to write essays and remember formulas; when will we learn how to file taxes or apply for unemployment? Now that our education has been taken from us, however temporary, how can you expect us to thrive? I know that the staff are doing the best they can given the circumstances, but it isn’t enough.

Frankly, I’m disappointed. At least my brother’s school implemented a mental health program, because otherwise I think I’d go crazy. What about the older kids? What about the kids being put forth into the world now, our Senior class, given no time to prepare? Why are we forgotten about? It shouldn’t be all test scores and grades, what about our emotions, our aspirations? That’s all I had to say…” 

Mercedes, 16 – Hartford, CT

An actual email I sent my college preparation teacher:

“This isn’t about the google meet, but I just wanted to say, do you guys realize how stressed the Junior class is? And not because we can’t do the work, because I assure you we are all capable, but because of the quantity of things we are expected to do now. We are given more responsibility around the house because we “have more time.” We are given more school work because we “have more time.”

Many of us have at least one younger sibling, which requires at the very least surveillance. A lot of us don’t have the luxury of a private room where we can do work, or class calls. Our houses may be even crowded, loud, and busy all of the time.

We’re going to be seniors next year, and all we know is how to write essays and remember formulas; when will we learn how to file taxes or apply for unemployment? Now that our education has been taken from us, however temporary, how can you expect us to thrive? I know that the staff are doing the best they can given the circumstances, but it isn’t enough.

Frankly, I’m disappointed. At least my brother’s school implemented a mental health program, because otherwise I think I’d go crazy. What about the older kids? What about the kids being put forth into the world now, our Senior class, given no time to prepare? Why are we forgotten about? It shouldn’t be all test scores and grades, what about our emotions, our aspirations? That’s all I had to say…”