From frequent hand washing to limiting numbers of students inside classrooms, there are many changes in schools that students have had to adjust to because of COVID-19 restrictions. However, that has not stopped grade 10 student Catherine Diyakonov from keeping the school spirit alive with her classmates at Lord Byng Secondary.
The past few months for Diyakonov have been an adjustment, a challenge and have tested her creativity as an active member of the Lord Byng Student Council and Vancouver District Students' Council (VDSC).
"Regardless of a few minor bumps along the road, the entire transition to remote learning went smoothly," Diyakonov says. "My teachers have been very supportive throughout the entire process and are providing extra work to those who want an additional challenge, which is something that I am personally enjoying."
In addition to her usual schoolwork, Diyakonov and members of the student council at Byng Secondary utilized their Instagram account to upload game boards so that students could connect and compete with their friends in a virtual community.
Students participated in the games and nominated their friends to join by tagging their accounts on the game board templates. "The game boards started to blow up on our Instagram account," says Diyakonov.
"I have found that although my social connection to my school community is somewhat limited, these platforms are sufficient for the time being, and I am thankful to have access to them," says Diyakonov.
"Virtually connecting school communities throughout the District during a pandemic has been challenging," Diyakonov adds. "But I believe that overcoming this struggle has made us stronger as students and as VDSC representatives."
Considering how much they have learned over the past few months through their online school communities, Diyakonov and the VDSC are excited to work on upcoming plans for the District's student council for September.
For more information on the VDSC and their initiatives, visit www.vdscouncil.com.
