Memories of March 13, 2020: A year since we saw Prep PHOTO STORY
By Ariadna Miranda, Staff Reporter
Hard to believe, but it has been a year since the close of Passaic Preparatory Academy due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. We are attending school virtually, which has become the new norm, but with the hope we can one day return to classrooms in person. This March we recall the memories we had of our last day at school with our friends, teachers and staff.
The Boulevard Online has encouraged Prep students to share their opinions, thoughts, and experiences of March 13, 2020 — as well as an avatar, bitmoji or picture. After a rollercoaster of events this past school year, and as we get closer to a year since the last day that we had a normal school day, students might experience a sense of nostalgia, remembering how daily school life felt before COVID. Our intention with this project is wishing that students can connect and relate to other student experiences of that very day. We all hope to one day see each other again — at school!
Hover over a picture to see the text, and click to see more. To add yourself to this photo story, fill out the Google Form by clicking here, or email Mr. Schmerler at [email protected].
Citlaly Hernandez, 12th grade
All I remember is that we still did not realize how serious Covid-19 actually was. The most vivid memory that I remember from that day was being sent to the office for papers that had to be sent out to students and parents. After I returned to my 9th period class, which was APUSH 2 with Mr. Costarelli, I read what was stated in the paper out loud to class. The paper informed us that the "Legally Blonde"...
Amari Gawthney, 11th grade
My experience on this day would have to be something I’ll never forget. Honestly, I walked out of school thinking, hey two weeks off from school not bad. Me and my friends walked and hung out every day after school so we all were kinda shocked we would continue our routine for two weeks, so we made sure that day to take a super long walk, stop at the park and get as much time in as possible before...
Leylani Bravo, 12th grade
It was a busy day between having to do a musical theater presentation of Cabaret before the school closed. As well as having this one friend who was literally obsessing over hand sanitizer. I was just thinking throughout the whole day, man it’s really starting to get serious, I actually began to fear. Then at the end of the day in my choir class I remember wanting to record myself with my friends...
Anthony Rivera, 12th grade
Has it really been a year? I remember absolutely nothing. I just see myself enjoying the day like always, going to class and doing the normal work. What I do remember is what followed after. We weren't in school for weeks and I started to get antsy. What the hell is happening?! I kept thinking to myself. Everyone was paranoid and running around for toilet paper. Of all things, toilet paper, how silly...
Ms. Huze, teacher
All I remember is thinking "We'll be back on Monday." I grabbed a few things to take home, just in case, but I was certain that this wasn't going to be a big deal. Boy was I wrong!
Mr. Vasquez, teacher
I was in the middle of changing districts!!!!
Ms. Blumberg, teacher
On March 13, I was looking forward to having a long weekend. If only I'd known how long and unpleasant that weekend would be....
Mr. Herrera, teacher
It's funny I actually took the day off the day our school decided to close the schools. So I had an extra day to hang out during March last year. I also decided to watch a lot of Big Bang Theory, anime, and play video games.
Itzel Vazquez Marin, 9th grade
I only remember us in 9th period, us talking about how it was in China and how it had only arrived to USA and I remember our teacher saying we were probably going to come back and not to be worried. Afterwards we got to when they told us school was online and I was disappointed at first then worried and I am very worried and kinda sad.
Briseas Ransom, 9th grade
I'm gonna be completely honest, March 13 2020 is mostly a blur. I don't remember much besides the fact that it was lockdown (I think). I remember most of my friends thinking this was gonna be a good thing, since we were gonna be home. We did not know what we were in for.
Lismary Pascal, 9th grade
From what I remember it was a very stressful time and chaotic and everyone was rushing to get Chromebooks to everyone. Everything was always in a rush and most people were very on everything cause it all happened so fast. We didn't know whether the virus was going to be very serious or not. But everyone was taking precautions.
Ayden Marmolejo, 7th grade
On March 13, it was probably one of the best days until it wasn't. This was one of my worst days ever because this was the last time I ever saw any of my friends. These friends were the ones I was closest to and the virus just tore all of it apart.
Jaylanice Alamo, 7th grade
It was a normal day like any other. I was in school goofing around with my friends when all of a sudden the principal comes in and my teacher and her have a conversation in the corner then they came to the front of the class and talked to us about Covid-19 and how school might close and I was so happy at first no school, sleeping in, but now I regret it because I miss socializing with my friends and...
Miranda Raffo, 7th grade
On March 13th I just finished getting out of school when I found out the news and it was so hard not to see people because I couldn't even like deal with not seeing people because I needed human interaction.
Eliana Mendoza, 9th grade
I remember heading to the cafeteria for my lunch period, I was waiting for a couple of friends to sit with, so I could talk to them, after lunch I went to my biology class which was right near the basement in the cafeteria. My last period of the day was English 1 Honors class with Ms.Severino, I was very excited for the day to be over. I'm sure that day wasn't really one of my best days. I lacked so...
Ariadna Miranda, 7th grade
March 13, 2020 is something that I will never forget. Halfway through second period I remember hearing my teacher talk about the district probably closing due to COVD-19. For the past week, I had heard about schools in other counties closing due to positive cases of the virus that had arrived. Internally, I was feeling worried but not of the virus but that if school closed I wouldn't be able to take...
Meraly Moya Nunez, 10th grade
Everyone was going crazy about the virus and I feel like people at the time were not taking it seriously because it was not such a big deal back then. Everyone was going around getting their Chromebooks, I really thought that things would not get this big, but unfortunately they did. I was even happy because we were getting days off, and then we never came back. I would've never guessed that was going...
Yadira Gonzalez, 7th grade
On March 13, 2020, during the last period the office wanted a messenger from each class because they were going to give each class papers, and my class was saying, "no school no school no school." But that was not what we got. But when it was night on March 13 ,2020 and we got a phone call that we won't go to school for two weeks, I was happy about it but now I am not.
Jennifer Ramirez, 10th grade
It was sort of hard being forced to adapt to an online learning school experience. I couldn't see my friends or favorite teachers anymore at school and missing the interaction with many of them. It was a very dreadful experience seeing the thousands of deaths occur throughout the months and online school became stressful working without any teacher's help.
Yancy Rivera, 10th grade
I was happy that we got a 2 week break and now I just want all this to end and go back to school.
Ms. Lauricella, Asst. Principal
I remember being really disappointed I had to cancel my Spring Break plans to Florida for our Baby-Moon. Little did I know there would be much more canceled in 2020! The picture attached is a little bacon-social-distancing humor.
Alia Attyeh, teacher
I had no idea what to tell my students when they asked me, what was going on? I really didn't know what was going on. I spent my B5 time, my prep, and my lunch at the library to help clean and untangle computer chargers. I never in a million year felt we we're going to be out of the building for one year already.
Ms. Fontalvo, counselor
I felt excited to get to work from home for the first and only time in my career, even if it was only for two weeks.
Mr. Tereshko, teacher
Hand sanitizer. Lots of hand sanitizer. I recall a few days earlier I had been doubting the seriousness of the virus. I never used hand sanitizer prior. I was thankful the school had provided it for our classroom and I remember using it every few minutes on that last day the school was open.
Lucy Garcia, 7th grade
I remember March 13, 2020 like it was yesterday, I remember starting off with 2 weeks and it turning into the whole rest of the school year and more, I remember it all. That evening I remember coming back from school and knowing that there might be a possibility that I wouldn't return to school for two weeks. My aunt and cousins had come over and we were all having so much fun. I remember wishing and...
Julian Munoz, 11th grade
It was last year 10th grade and I was coming out of geometry class and I ask Ms. Vanderstad if we’re really not going to have school on Monday and she says no but don’t worry we’ll be back the same week & I said to her “Ms. I honestly feel like we won’t be seeing each other in a while" and she laughed and said don’t worry you’ll be back in here by next week be sure of that, till this...
April Ramirez, 8th grade
I just remember being in math class with Ms. Jimenez and we were all sitting and she was talking about how we might not come back to school we might come back a little later we are just taking a few snow days and to enjoy our weekend. The lights were off some were on. Then the bell rang and we went to lunch. That is all I remember from that day.
Sharot Lotero, 9th grade
I remember leaving school saying “byeee see you next week” without knowing that I would not see them again, without hugging them, and without saying bye to all my teachers and classmates. Now I regret not doing any of these that day.
Nevaeh Maultsby, 7th grade
I was in my last-period class and me and my friends were taking it as a joke and realized like after that this was real this was something big. We were leaving that Friday thinking we were coming back Monday. But in all reality we weren't!
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