<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Y30yv_1Eimvexj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Y30yv_1Eimvexj00" width="1250" height="703" ><figcaption>Gabriella Balboa, a senior at Albany Academy, sheds light on the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on her classmates ahead of the new school year. (Spectrum News 1/Corey James)</figcaption></figure>More than six years after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted classrooms across New York, some students are still working through the effects on learning, social connection and school engagement.For Gabriella Balboa, now a senior at Albany Academy, the pandemic changed a part of school she valued most: being around other students.Balboa was in elementary school when COVID-19 shut down in-person learning. She said group projects, Field Day and opportunities to spend time with students in other classes were among her favorite parts of school.“Everything was based around like social interaction,” Balboa said. “So, I remember we did group projects and we would bond with other classes during Field Day and stuff. That was my favorite part of school.”When the pandemic began, Balboa said she worried about what her future would look like.“I was worried about what my future was going to look like,” she said.Now, as students prepare for a new school year, Balboa is participating in a student mentor program at Albany Academy. The program gives students opportunities to talk, share experiences and build connections before classes begin.“There was bonding, and through shared experiences there was bonding through there were questions that were deep, that were meant to get you to start talking,” Balboa said.Dr. Kristen Wilcox, a professor of educational policy and leadership at the University at Albany and director of NYKids, said pandemic disruptions affected students differently. NYKids is a school-improvement hub funded by New York state.Wilcox said research has shown that some students faced challenges with emotional regulation, returning to classroom routines and reconnecting with peers after extended periods away from in-person school.“We’ve got a fair amount of research here that’s indicating mental health and other kinds of health issues that have been exacerbated,” Wilcox said. “And they were preexisting, the COVID pandemic, but exacerbated during and after.”Balboa said she believes some students still feel less comfortable in social situations.“A lot of people are definitely more socially anxious because they didn’t get that social awareness when they were younger, especially like kids in my grade and like below me,” Balboa said.Wilcox said schools can help by intentionally building relationships and ensuring students have a trusted adult in the building.“Whether it’s their tech instructor or whether it’s their social studies or science, whoever it might be could be that person that really motivates them to show up in school every day,” Wilcox said.Balboa said she and her classmates are trying to create a more welcoming school environment.“All of us kind of decided that we want to become more friendly and caring, and we want to show that we really do like each other,” Balboa said. “We are an inclusive class.”Students who are struggling are encouraged to speak with a parent, teacher, school counselor, or social worker.For immediate mental health crisis support, people can call or text 988, or use the chat service through the 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline. The service is available around the clock.</div></body>

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More than six years after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted classrooms across New York, some students are still working through the effects on learning, social connection and school engagement. For Gabriella Balboa, now a senior at Albany Academy, the pandemic changed a part of school she valued most: being around other...

Addressing COVID-19's lasting impact on students

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More than six years after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted classrooms across New York, some students are still working through the effects on learning, soci

Addressing COVID-19's lasting impact on students

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