February issue 2021

Page 1

NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL

211 PYLESVILLE ROAD, PYLESVILLE MD 21132

410-638-3650

February 26, 2021

Ne w s k i l l s a r i s i n g i n s t u d e n t s ;

Creation of podcasts proves beneficial KIMBERLY EDGAR Reporter

“Podcasting has, more or less, been this past decade’s evolution from radio,” states Frank Reynolds, a podcast enthusiast. “A podcast is an episodic, on-demand radio show about anything.” Podcasting is a worldwide source for news, stories, entertainment, and more. Reynolds describes that he loves expressing himself through this type of platform, even editing the podcasts has become a “fun hobby” of his. According to Podcast Insights, 50% of all homes are podcast fans. Meaning, over 60 million homes tune in to listen to podcasts. Along with that, studies show that podcast users are more educated, states Steven McClung Ph.D. and Kristine Johnson M.S. Reynolds explains that making a podcast nowadays isn’t that hard, it can be done simply by recording yourself talk about something you are passionate about, using a free audio editing software, upload it to a podcast hosting network, and finally, create an RSS feed. An RSS feed is an organized account of updates from your websites, all in one place. Senior Theodore Rush says that his only main challenge was “figuring out how to give the conversation a good flow

Frank Reynolds teaches the tips and tricks about podcasts. Those tips and tricks were used when creating future podcasts. Photo credit: Jennifer Chandler and naturally ask my questions.” Rush also said that learning how to speak confidently and more clearly became a handy tool for him, outside of just podcasts. Carli van Heerden, founder, and CEO of We Edit Podcasts

states that “Overall, podcasting takes a lot of time to get everything organized and ready to hit publish. This includes doing your research, finding the right guests, getting everyone’s schedules to match up, and making sure that

the content is valuable and specifically targeted to your audience.” Not being prepared is one of the recurring mistakes that Reynolds says he has seen, along with “using too many “umms,” “likes,” etc. while speaking.” Reynolds

also states that “you must go into a podcast harboring a wealth of knowledge regarding the subject you’re speaking on. If you do not, you are either going to be left scrambling or, worse, you will not come across as a reliable resource. As for those stalling words, avoid them at all costs. No professionals speak that way.” Freshman Kris Gray feels that the fact that everything is your creation when making a podcast is really “special”. Gray also believes “no one is going to listen to you if they don’t care about what you are saying. Also, if you do not know what you are talking about and you assume things, no one is going to take you or your podcast seriously. Journalism teacher Mrs. Jennifer Chandler invited Reynolds to her class as a way to “give students some real-world experience with someone who has worked in the field of podcasting” She added that the opportunity for students to interact with Reynolds was positive and that the students “were mature and focused on getting as much out of the experience as they could.” Chandler announced that the podcasts her students created will be accessible to the public on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook in the coming weeks.

Preparations continue to return to hybrid learning KIMBERLY EDGAR Reporter “If health officials feel that it is safe to return, I trust their judgment as I am not a medical expert. It is extremely important to follow all of the guidance provided by the CDC to keep everyone safe,” says Chrystie Crawford-Smick, president of the Harford County Education Association. Harford County schools are starting to be reopened, meaning the preparations are already in motion. Crawford-Smick states that “HCPS has purchased plexiglass dividers, a more extensive cleaning schedule has been developed, an additional custodian has been allocated for each school building and HCEA and HCPS have developed a health and safety checklist that will be used by the Health and Safety team at each building to

There will be many strategies to address any areas of concern.” Crawford-Smick believes that if prevent the spread of COVID-19 everyone follows the rules, every- mentions Crawford-Smick, including masks, physione can return to school cal barriers, and safely. If for any readistancing son, issues arise, anywhere they should be “Getting students and possible. addressed staff back to school reShe also “immedimains out priority, an we will a s ately and sumes approprihave discussions with country that ately”. health leaders in addition to fol- “desks Along with that lowing any guidance provided by will be spaced Crawthe state.” more - Jillian Lader, the communi- t h a n ford-Smick normal, stated, cations manager for HCPS and the “Now more cafeteria set than ever, up will look the decisions very different.” we make as indiAccording to Baltividuals impact others. We all must follow the guidance more Sun, many families from to keep our community safe.” six different districts, including

Harford, have called on Governor Larry Hogan to give the option for in-person learning. “School systems throughout the country, including our local nonpublic schools in Maryland, continue to stay open and operate. We ask that public school children throughout the State of Maryland have the same opportunity,” the groups wrote. Crawford-Smick says that it is important to get feedback from HCPS leadership, “it is our job as an Association to listen to the needs of our members and relay that information to HCPS.” Crawford-Smick also reports that they have always been planning to reopen but that “A few weeks ago Governor Hogan and Dr. Salmon removed the health metrics from the Maryland school guidance document, we then knew the local plan need-

ed to be adjusted. I am grateful that our local metrics continue to drop, which is helpful as HCPS implements the updated CDC guidance and buildings re-open.” “Getting students and staff back to school remains our priority, and we will continue discussions with county health leaders in addition to following any guidance provided by the state,” Jillian Lader, the communications manager for HCPS wrote in an email. Crawford-Smick believes that students will adjust well due to her experience teaching. “I have always admired the resiliency of my students. In my career, I taught grades 6-12 and I have always been impressed with my student’s ability to adjust to change.” She clarifies that “This is not a one size fits all type of situation, so our members have a wide range of opinions .”


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