After a year of isolation, Zoom calls, and masks, this year may bring much more anxiety for students, parents and teachers. Dr. Claudia Allen, a psychologist with UVA Health who has been tracking anxiety in children throughout the course of the pandemic, says this school year will have its unique challenges. “For most kids, this August is going to be the first time in a year and a half. If you’re a 7-, or 8- or 9-year-old, a year and a half is a big chunk of your life, so it feels even longer to them than it does to us,” Allen said.