NEWS BRIEFS

country and in the state and in There isn’t an exact time we want to stay in school. I our county start to go down.” frame that the corporation don’t think any of us, at least

The CDC has also re- expects to be in yellow; it all staff members, for sure me leased more news regarding depends on the COVID statis- as a principle, I don’t like it the quarantining period. The tics of our zip code. Despite when kids aren’t here,” MarCDC still recommends 14 this, Marcinek is hopeful to cinek said. “It’s much better days to quarantine, but other return to the yellow schedule. when kids are here, and the alternatives are acceptable “I think that we were school’s alive, and there’s acbased on local circumstances. successful in yellow when tion going on. We just want to

According to the CDC, we did it earlier in the year. I protect that as much as possi“Quarantine can end after day feel like it’s a good start to get ble and make sure we’re doten without testing and if no back to that process of getting ing our part.” symptoms have been report- everybody back in the build- Marcinek encourages stued during daily monitoring,” ing,” Marcinek said. “Those dents in these changing times and “when diagnostic testing statistics are given to us by to have a “positive outlook.”. resources are sufficient and the Lake County Health De- “I think that it’s realavailable, then quarantine can partment and analyzed by our ly easy to get down, or get end after day seven if a diag- school district leadership, and discouraged, or to feel like nostic specimen tests negative then that is what makes the ‘when is this going to end,’” and if no symptoms were re- determination on what status Marcinek said. ported during daily monitoring.” The CPCSC is still waiting on information from the Lake County Health Department to see if this quarantine alterna‘‘ It’s much better when kids are here, and the school’s alive and there’s action going on. Marcinek correlates these feelings with a term called “COVID fatigue,” and he urges students to reach out for help if they feel this way. “There is no shame tive will be put in place Principal Russ Marcinek in asking for help, there when students return in is no shame in saying, person. we are going to be in.” ‘I don’t understand this,’ or,

“It looks like it’s a pos- Lunches will continue ‘Can I have extra time,’” sibility that that’s going to to be eaten in the gym when Marcinek said. “It’s better to change, and we’re waiting on students return. No other in- ask for help than to ignore the official word from the Lake formation will be released problem altogether. TeachCounty Health Department about the yellow schedule, ers are always going to help for direction on that, but I for it is the same as it was at students if they need help, so know there’s been some talk the beginning of the semester, will administrators, so will recently on changing of pro- except for the start time being counselors, it’s just we don’t cedures and protocols for 7:35 a.m. this time around. know if you need help if you quarantining,” Marcinek said. “The biggest thing is that don’t ask.”

VIEWS on NEWS [Students’ reactions to events in our world INTHEKNOW

CPCSC announces expansion plans

The Crown Point Community School Corporation recently put out plans to build a new middle school to replace Taft Middle School, as well as plans to expand CPHS, MacArthur Elementary and Timothy Ball Elementary. At CPHS, they are proposing a twostory classroom addition, expanded cafeteria, relocated child care center and an expanded STEM education space at the high school. For the construction of the middle school, it would bring new athletics facilities, academic space and technology advancements and would increase Taft’s enrollment to 1,400. There is currently no publicly set date for when these projects will begin. End of first semester approaching

The end of first semester will be on Jan. 14. Students are expected to have all their assignments completed, as grades will be finalized for first semester. Finals will be given the week leading up to this date. Students should ask their teachers any questions they may have in order to get their grades up for the semester.

State

As reported by Fox 59, Indiana had the highest per-capita infection rate in the nation after the week of Thanksgiving. Some health professionals say this is as a result of “pandemic In all honesty, it comes as no surprise to me that our state had the highest per fatigue” and rates are likely to increase further. ‘‘ capita infection rate in the nation. It’s way too common to go somewhere and come across patrons who refuse to wear their mask correctly. Gabrielle Hometorwu junior

Nation

According to NBC News, Casey Goodson was a 23-year-old Black man who was shot multiple times by an Ohio sheriff’s deputy. It is now being ruled a homicide after a preliminary autopsy was conducted. I think that this case being ruled a homicide is the beginning of the path ‘‘ to provide justice to the unfortunately deceased Casey

Goodson and his family. Xavier Devany sophomore

World

91-year-old woman from the UK is the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer

COVID-19 vaccine. Up to four million more are expected to be given by the end of the year. It’s exciting to see that the vaccine is finally coming. Even if ‘‘ we won’t get it for a while, this news gives me hope that this pandemic will eventually end. Aidan Gregg senior