It is early in the morning on Jan. 25 as students get out of bed and ready for school. They struggle to get dressed, tie their shoes, pack lunch, and sling their backpacks on their shoulders. The things that used to be second nature are now the most difficult.

Some students will grab their things and hop into their car, driving to school without a thought, and avoiding contact with other students. Others will be taking the long trek to their bus stops and getting on the once familiar vehicle. These students will have to take caution. Wear a mask, social distance, and sit alone or with a family member.

The high school has taken the necessary steps to make sure everyone is safe while riding the bus in this pandemic. Before the hybrid plan was in motion, families had to fill out a short Google form in order to receive or opt-out of transportation. The students that opted out of transportation need to provide their own way to get to school, and people who opted in will take the bus. On in-person hybrid days, transportation will be available for students to and from school.

The students who are taking the bus also need to follow the rules and regulations that their bus drivers provide and take precautions in order to stay safe.

For instance, students will be required to wear a mask, covering their mouth and nose. Students will have to sit one to a seat unless they are related. Students will have to social distance and maintain six feet of space. These rules also apply to student-athletes taking the bus to athletic events.

“The bus drivers told us to distance from each other and make sure our masks were on. They also had to have windows open around the bus to circulate the air, and we had assigned seats,” junior Lindsay Hunter said.

According to Hunter, it was strange to be on the bus again after months of quarantine.

As reported by the World Health Organization, there should only be one child per seat and a distance of at least one meter between passengers. Students should also be practicing respiratory and hand hygiene, as well as wearing face coverings.

It is exciting to see students going back to school, but it is also important to take the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.

“I just hope everything can be normal again soon,” Hunter said.