At a school like Riverdale, where students are encouraged to think originally and question social norms, “conformity” tends to have a negative connotation. In fact, the culture in the United States as a whole values individuality and freedom over compliance. President John F. Kennedy once said that “conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” 

And yet, overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic has required us all to conform in various ways, from complying with vaccine mandates to following rules about masks and distancing. Though sometimes frustrating and restrictive, Covid protocols serve an important purpose: to prevent the spread of a dangerous disease and allow us to continue with in-person learning. 

So has the Covid-19 pandemic changed Riverdale students’ attitudes toward conformity? Have we gained a new perspective on its benefits? And given that teenagers often test boundaries and resist rules, has non-compliance with Covid protocols been an issue at Riverdale?

Dr. Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, Assistant Head of School for Operations, believes that “collective behavior is important and necessary” during a public health crisis. She acknowledges that achieving consistent compliance is difficult because the administration is making “unnatural requests on students’ behavior” that often run “against the grain” of adolescent needs and development. But she believes that we should all “celebrate kids for doing the best that they can.”

Dr. Nicholson-Flynn acknowledged that it can be a burden for adults on campus to issue reminders about masks and distancing. However, she said, they do it “in the spirit of working together and trying not to have opposition.” In the late fall, she said, it sometimes felt like a battle to get students to conform to Covid rules, especially consistent masking. However, she quickly pointed out that students have been “amazing” at complying with the new rules that were established when the contagious Omicon variant appeared. Tighter protocols required the use of KN95 or surgical masks and mandated that masks be worn outdoors again as well as indoors. “I feel like kids have been so good about making those changes,” Dr. Nicholson-Flynn said.

When positive Covid cases on campus increased sharply during the first few weeks after break, the possibility of a return to remote learning was a wakeup call. Dr. Nicholson-Flynn and senior student leaders Jake Siden and Gia George-Burgher, co-presidents of the Student Faculty Council, all noted a high level of compliance among students in recent weeks, signaling a shift in their attitudes toward conformity.

Siden said that seniors have taken it upon themselves to “lead by example” and “serve as role models” with regard to Covid compliance. And though George-Burgher occasionally notices students “taking liberties” with the outdoor masking rule in particular, she believes that overall conformity to rules has been “pretty high.” 

In rare cases when students willfully refuse to wear their masks, they might be asked to stay home for a day, according to Dr. Nicholson-Flynn. Siden believes that this kind of disciplinary action is both fair and “necessary.” In order to “be at school, keep each other safe, and remain in-person,” he said, “mask wearing and testing is essential.” 

George-Burgher agrees that compliance is a small price to pay for the benefit of remaining on campus. She cited the successful fall sports season as proof that the protocols are  ensuring that students can still have in-person experiences. “Behind the complaining,” she said, “students are still grateful that Riverdale is the type of school that can take these precautions and be in-person.” 

Recent student efforts to comply more closely with Covid protocols reflect Riverdale’s strong sense of community and students’ desire to continue with in-person learning. Student attitudes have changed over time as the benefits of conformity become clear. And compliance seems to be working, since Covid case numbers on campus have decreased significantly since the post-holiday spike.

When it comes to protocols and compliance, Dr. Nicholson-Flynn said, “nothing is perfect, but I’m really super grateful for everyone in this community trying as hard as they do.” Despite the mask fatigue experienced by everyone, she said, “I feel like good work is happening and kids are learning and kids are interacting with peers and adults. We’re making it work the best we can.”

If President Kennedy were alive to witness this pandemic, he might have to rethink his viewpoint that conformity is always negative. Instead of being a “jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth,” compliance with pandemic protocols has “freed” us from the isolation of remote school and given us the opportunity to learn and “grow” together on campus.