Reflecting on Their School Year

Thirty-two Syracuse Latin School students in Ms. Kristina Russo’s fifth-grade class spent four weeks as part of an enrichment project on photojournalism. Their goal: to capture what school life is like now.

Paired with each image, student photographers share their thoughts on the required protocols in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus — from signs posted in hallways, on doors and in classrooms that serve as constant reminders to stay socially distanced, wear a mask and wash hands to views of bagged, premade meals ready for pick up.

“Our fifth-grade photojournalists explored in and around the school to capture images that would tell their story,” Russo said.

Student Kyan Jones, 10, says a big change this year was how empty the school’s hallways were. “Usually there are people, but now everyone stays in their classrooms all day.”

This project was inspired by The Stand’s annual Photo Walk and recent contributions from other city students reflecting on how the pandemic has impacted their daily lives.