By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

While social media and the news are full of politicians, parents and educators sounding off on the plan to reopen schools this fall, the voices of students can get drowned out in the discourse.

The Star-Review recently met over Zoom with four teenagers who frequent the CanTeen in Cicero to get their thoughts about dealing with social isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, and what hopes and fears they have about returning to school.

“It’s a really tough decision, but I think I will go back just for the one day a week. There’s still a lot that needs to be discussed,” said Erin Barney, who will be a senior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School this year.

Face masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing will be enforced at schools across New York State, but Barney said she is worried about bringing the virus home to her parents or two younger siblings.

“One thing I’m worried about is other people’s hygiene. You’re depending on everybody else to stay safe,” she said.

Barney, a member of the tech crew for theatrical and musical productions at C-NS, said she was told by one teacher that such activities are postponed until at least October.

“I’m really worried about not being able to do any shows this year, it being my last year,” she said.

Barney is looking forward to attending the senior ball in the spring, pandemic permitting.

“I’m really hoping it passes over so we can gather at least in slightly larger groups,” she said. “I didn’t get to go to the prom and I really want to go to the senior ball, so I’m really hoping things get better by then.”

While her classmates have been away from school since March, Mady Alcock has been at home even longer. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and has received home instruction since January. The rising junior at C-NS said she misses the socialization aspect of school.

“My family is planning for me to go back one day a week,” Alcock said. “It’s better for my mental health.”

According to Alcock’s doctors, she does not have a higher chance of contracting the virus, but if she does get it, the effects could linger. Despite the risks, Alcock is looking forward to returning to school.

“My doctor has given me the go-ahead,” she said.

Alcock will be bringing her service dog, Charlotte, to school with her one day a week, which adds to the logistics she must navigate during the school day.

“My service dog has her own little backpack that will be touching more things than just one backpack, one set of supplies. [It’s] another body that you have to take into consideration,” Alcock said.

As for online instruction, Barney said she expects it will be more organized this year, and she has enjoyed the freedom of being able to complete work at her own pace.

“I’m not looking forward to my teachers saying, ‘Okay, we have a Zoom meeting at 8 a.m.’ because then I’ve got to get up,” she said.

Alcock said she thrived with remote instruction.

“I actually did better online than going in person. My average went from the 70s to high 90s,” she said. “For me, it was a benefit to be online, but I can see how it can be a struggle for some kids if they’re not as independent or think, ‘I’ll just do it tomorrow,’ and then just never do it.”

Jennika Williams’ schedule will look a bit different from her peers. Williams, a junior, is enrolled in the BOCES early childhood education program, so she likely will attend BOCES four days a week and C-NS one day a week.

“I have an IEP so it’s important for me to go to school,” Williams said. “I’m kind of worried that one day a week won’t be enough for me to get what I need out of school.”

Williams has two siblings — a brother headed to college and a sister entering fifth grade. Both siblings will be engaging in remote instruction.

“I’m going to be the only one actually going to school,” Williams said.

Williams splits her time between her parents’ homes, so she is worried about spreading germs to her parents and siblings as well.

Rachael Rowe is entering ninth grade at North Syracuse Junior High School. She will be attending one day a week as well.

“I’m in love with school. It’s like my dream place,” she said.

Rowe has been corresponding with her teachers about the possibility of clubs and organizations meeting virtually this school year. She would like to use Zoom to host guest speakers, conduct activities for the Positivity Project and hold a virtual club fair for NSJHS students to learn about organizations they can join.

Dealing with social isolation

The pandemic has been especially hard on adolescents because of their developing brains and their need for social interaction, said Amy Venditte, assistant youth services director for the CanTeen.

“Everybody’s struggling,” she said. “Your prefrontal cortex is developed in your 20s. Adolescents haven’t reached that yet. For us as adults, it’s sobering and overwhelming. I think parents and teachers might not understand the level of trauma this has been for students.”

The goal this fall, Venditte said, should be to “re-acclimate teens and younger students back to a social environment.”

“They have to relearn interacting with each other,” Venditte said.

“We were still learning that anyway,” Alcock said.

While the CanTeen building was closed for much of the spring and summer, the staff has beefed up virtual outreach with an increased social media presence, phone calls and text messages, games over Zoom and socially distant park visits.

“Toni [Brauchle, youth services director] and I have had to learn to run a virtual teen center on the fly,” Venditte said. “They deeply need these connections.”

Barney, a self-described introvert, said the isolation of the pandemic has been difficult. It’s not that introverts dislike spending time with people, she explained, but they have a close circle of friends with whom they like to recharge.

“A voice in my head was screaming at me to get out,” she said of not being able to “stick to [her] people.”

Rowe said she was happy to see the CanTeen begin to offer limited visiting hours and park visits.

“I came right in because to me, this place is a home away from home,” she said.

Teens have had to figure out new ways to connect with their friends, and Rowe said the pandemic has been an awakening for her. She has tried martial arts and dance and has found ways to keep in touch with her peers.

“I found out there are people that care about me. We try to come together and make community,” she said. “It’s been a summer of open-mindedness and trying new things. … When we’re forced not to see each other, that’s what really brings us together.”

Williams has been processing the trauma of 2020 through art. She is working on a mural at the CanTeen to commemorate the momentous year. The mural will feature a portrait of a student wearing a graduation cap and a face mask, as well as references to the Black Lives Matter movement. CanTeen visitors will sign their names to the mural, and the names of the seniors who graduated in 2020 will be added as well.

“It’s a big opportunity for me. … I’m doing the majority [of the painting],” Williams said.

Alcock has assisted with painting the North Syracuse Central School District’s colors on the wall and Rowe helped paint the numbers 2020.

“The year that’ll go down in history,” Venditte said.

As for dealing with isolation, Barney encourages her peers to talk about how they are feeling.

“That’s something a lot of people are afraid to do, to let things out,” she said.

Rowe said self-care is key.

“This is a great time for reflection about yourself. Take a break from social media, have a spa treatment in your bathroom,” she suggested.

Rowe reminded her peers that their parents and teachers are struggling with the stresses of the pandemic, too.

“Kids should be a little more respectful to their teachers and elders,” she said. “I want everyone to remain strong because that’s basically the only choice we have.”