On Monday, Sept. 21, NHS principal Caleb Smith sent out an email to all highschool parents, informing them that a 9-12 grade student had tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was last reported on campus on Sept. 8.

In his email, Smith informs parents that USD 373 is taking the matter very seriously and that, although the incident was out of their control, they are taking every measure possible to ensure a safe learning environment for all students and staff. 

“I feel safe in the school,” junior Alyssa Hamm said. “[I think there are plenty of precautions], I mean we use hand sanitizer, clean everything at the end of class and we wear masks.”

Hamm says that sometimes wearing masks all day at school can become tiring, hot and hard to breathe in, however Hamm understands the importance of wearing them in order to keep herself and others safe. 

“I dislike wearing masks, which I think everyone might feel the same about that, ” Hamm said. “Some masks are just hard to breathe in and get very hot inside, [but] I think that as long as we keep on wearing masks and sanitizing, we should be good to go to school.”

Senior Alondra Valle voices that she expected the event to occur and specifically to occur when transitioning back to in person learning.

“I think we all sorta knew if we went back to school there would be at least one case so it wasnt that big of a surprise,” Valle said. “As for all of us going in person, it had to happen sooner or later. It’s better that it happened now in case cases do start going up, especially at school, we know that it’s best to keep it hybrid for a little longer or go remote.”

Valle is appreciative of Smith’s measures to contact parents about the case as well as the idea of keeping the individual’s name confidential. Although she is slightly conflicted on whether or not this should be public information.

“In a way it’s a good thing, I mean the less people know the less it’s likely to be spread around and people won’t make such a big deal of it but also if students and staff want to be informed then they should,” Valle said.

Although Valle expected the case to occur she does feel safe returning to school. She is very appreciative of the precautions taken by staff to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

“[Yes] I do [feel safe going to school], I feel like our teachers and especially our janitors do a good job cleaning and sanitizing everything all day so shout out to them,” Valle said.