The 2021 COVID Feature

Issue # 1 06/08/21

C over Story: C oronaviru’s Emotiona l A ffect Job No.: 005712

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School Name: West High

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Photo by: Jay Mascardo.

Days before their state tournament, the West High Varsity Girls Tennis Team partakes in a team bonding night at the Cosgrove Institute in Oxford, IA on May 30th, 2021.

Photo Fe ature

Tabl e of C on ten ts Contributors Jay Mascardo Photographer and Artist Ginger McCartney Writer and Designer Lilly Graham Editor and Writer

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Op-Ed: “This year has been disastrous for students’ learning.”

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Cover story: “Social COVID affects.”

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Entertainment “Best activities to do with friends this summer.”

Back Page “Connect the dots”

Entertainment: “Three things to get you outside.”

He l lo!

This has been an exhausting, tumultuous year, and thankfully, we have almost made it to summer. As this school year draws to a close, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will resonate for a while, continuing to influence the academic and social spheres of our lives. Our publication first examines just how disastrous this year has been for learning, from dwindling performances and attendance to spiking cases of exhaustion.

The cover story delves into how our relationships have been marred by isolation, with instances of social anxiety increasing. On a lighter note, our two entertainment pieces list easy ways to get outside and the best places to visit in Iowa City with friends this summer. If you need some relaxation, make sure to turn to the back cover where you can connect the dots and color. Thank you so much for reading our publication. Have an amazing summer!

-Lilly Graham

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This ye a r H a s Been Disa sterous For Studen ts’ L e a rning

By Lil ly Gr ah am

The WSS e x amine s how studen ts’ le a rning h a s been wreck ed during the COVID-19 pandemic , from poorer academic pe r form ance, to studen ts skipping cl a sse s, to studen ts dre ading school, to low leve ls of moti vation paired wi th high degree s of e xh austion.

After a tiring week of learning remotely, I struggle to roll out of bed on Friday morning. Fridays, once a day of excitement for the looming weekend, are now my least favorite time of the week. Faced with a whole day of Zoom meetings, I think hopefully that my teachers will stay true to their promises of just having a check-in. Sadly, I am wrong. As is often the case, many of my teachers believe the other teachers are following the check-in rule, so it is completely acceptable for them to hold a full class period. By 4 p.m. on Friday, I am so drained that I can only crawl back into bed.

I am not alone in my exhaustion. Many students across the country partaking in learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic are feeling the effects of an abnormal school year. These effects bear even far greater consequences than exhaustion.

The past school year has been disastrous for students’ learning. Students are falling behind in much needed instruction, absent from classes at higher rates, losing their love of learning, and lacking the motivation required to succeed.

Experts estimate that students have become, on average, up to nine months behind in math as reported by Time. Those not attending virtual learning at all may suffer from up to fourteen months of lost learning, as cited by the HuffPost.

Evidence already supports that children are struggling when it comes to demonstrating proficiency in key areas, such as reading and math.

Data presented in the Iowa City Press-Citizen reveals that, as of this winter, only 51% of first-graders in the Iowa City Community School District were competent readers.

Trends in our school district are echoed around the nation. The Atlantic published that in the greater Atlanta area in excess of 20,000 students lagged behind in English and approximately 30,000 in math, after a mere nine weeks of online instruction.

The academic shortcomings of this year will be long-lasting. The greater the number of students trailing behind, the tricker it will be for educators to teach. A vicious cycle will ensue, with more and more students falling farther and farther behind, and teachers being overwhelmed and unable to assist their students.

Teachers will undergo difficulties when trying to prioritize teaching new material and ensuring that their students understand past curriculum. Students who have managed to remain on track with their education will become frustrated and bored when the focus of classes becomes “re-learning.”

All spheres of life have had to adapt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including school systems. However, many students have been unable to participate in these new learning models, and attendance around the country has dropped dramatically.

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B ellwether Education Partners, a non-profit,

speculates that roughly three million of “the most educationally marginalized students in the country” may have been absent from schools since March of 2020, right around the onset of the pandemic.

Disadvantaged students have had to balance looking after family members and tutoring younger siblings.

Many are unable to regularly secure stable internet access and a suitable learning environment, making it so online schooling is not a viable option for them. Due to such setbacks, experts hypothesize a spike in high school dropouts, according to HuffPost.

Aside from the loss of learning, the greatest tragedy of this school year is the lost enjoyment of school.

Although school can be the culprit behind a great deal of stress, it provides students with structure, motivation, social interaction, and an education, all of which are imperative to success later in life. Learning during a pandemic has robbed students of many of the traditional benefits of school, making it so students no longer find any aspects of school enjoyable, but dread school entirely.

As students switch between various learning models, students no longer can take comfort in the consistency and structure that school delivers.

As students become overwhelmed with how behind they have fallen, it can be extremely difficult to summon the motivation and time required to catch up to their peers. This struggle can be further exacerbated as students, especially those online this year, may not have the bond and familiarity with school officials to ask for extensions or further help.

Students attending school from home rarely obtain the degree of collaboration from which their in person counterparts benefit, which is a key part of learning and fostering teamwork. As schools attempt to lessen the spread of COVID-19, they implement practices, such as reduced class sizes and social distancing, causing even in-person students to miss important social interaction.

At the beginning of this school year, I had a long list of goals for myself. However, as this year draws to a close, I am just hanging on. Living assignment to assignment.

Counting the days until summer.

I am utterly exhausted, and now, my

The ICCSD has taken measures for this summer and the following school year to recover some of the lost learning during the pandemic, but it is uncertain whether or not these solutions will be sufficient.

Although offered, summer school in ICCSD is voluntary and is not universally available. The ICCSD should broaden this option by offering it to all students and mandating that those who have fallen severely behind national standards must attend.

In tandem with summer programs, the ICCSD will be hiring additional interventionists who will tutor students, track progress, and design specialized, individual learning plans.

These interventionists will be mainly meant for secondary students.

To mitigate the long term implications of lost learning, ICCSD should make attending school in-person compulsory for all fully-vaccinated students, unless a student demonstrates the ability to succeed with virtual instruction. Additionally, review must be built into next year’s courses.

I am lucky because, although this year has been a struggle, I will happily return to in-person learning next year and be on track in all my classes. Others are not so fortunate. For them this year has been a disaster for their education.

Learning amid a pandemic has upended students throughout our nation, causing them to fall behind national benchmarks, miss classes, no longer enjoy their education, and have intensified feelings of exhaustion and lose incentive.

After this school year students’ learning will be irreversibly damaged, unless teachers and students are able to work closely to invest in instruction and ensure that no student is left behind.

By The Number s On a sca le of 1 to 10 (10 being the most) how much h ave you li k ed school this ye a r?

A re you behind in cl a sse s?

Ye s 86.7%

sole goal is getting this school year over with.

Students everywhere are reporting high levels of exhaustion and low degrees of engagement. NBC News highlights a study in which about 36% of students were actually feeling engaged in school in the fall of 2020. Additionally, 84% of online students and 78% of in-person students described instances of exhaustion, headaches, and insomnia this school year.

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solation-the process to be and remain alone, jnjksingular, a part from others. Over the course of this year, we’ve all been isolated one way or another. For some, that isolation never stopped even as the country began to reopen along with the feeling of complete emptiness as we students sat at our computers struggling to pay attention to our teachers coming to the realization that it’s just us, alone in our rooms, looking at a screen.

COVID-19 has had an immeasurable impact on our lives as students and on the lives of millions of others. Now that vaccines have become available to virtually every high school student, how has the isolation and irreparable damage that COVID19 has caused to our mental health and our relationships going to affect our lives going forward?

COVID-19 has led to over 50 million K-12 students in the United States learning remotely, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. With so many students online stuck at home without much compelling them to get outside (and not much to do), there’s bound to be consequences.

After a year apart from everyone, adapting to a new idea of normalcy can be troubling. Going from seeing no one to everyone all at once is no easy task. Some students reported developing or having worsened social anxiety. Social Anxiety is defined as intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social situation, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Social Anxiety can lead to panic attacks, excessive fear of social situations, and fear of being watched.

In the wake of a long period of isolation, it’s normal to experience a level of social dysfunction according to experts. Katy Gilligan, a practicing psychiatrist in Seattle, Washington, is one expert who commented on COVID-19 effects on our mental health.

“It’s generally recommended that people with a history of social anxiety and people who developed anxiety during the pandemic should slowly ease back into socializing. A quick transition has the potential to be exhausting and overstimulating,” said Gilligan in an interview.

Kevy Huynh ‘23 is one student who’s beginning the slow transition.

“It’s odd, trying to carry conversation after literally not talking to someone new for a year. I get nervous when an unfamiliar face walks in and I have to talk to them. It’s like I have to relearn how to properly socialize,” said Huynh ‘23 in a survey conducted of West High students.

She’s not alone in her struggle; many other students have felt the same way. Caroline Mascardo ‘22 is another West High student having trouble with their social and mental health.

“I’m more nervous to meet up with

people in person, and I’m happy when people cancel plans. I’ve been more prone to canceling plans at the last minute just to make myself feel less nervous,” said Mascardo ’22 when asked how social anxiety impacts their life.

Over this period of long isolation, many people have had to deal with new or worsening mental health issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, forty eight percent of parents report that the pandemic has caused mental health problems for one or more of their children. Four in ten Americans report they are more anxious this year than last.

These are important statistics that show the incredible damage that COVID-19 has caused and that no one is alone in their struggle. Not only has the pandemic perpetuated social anxiety in some students, but also depression.

“One feature of depression is not enjoying things you used to enjoy, and with younger people being cut off from so many activities, we saw people feeling numb and apathetic. Many stopped caring about school, stopped caring about their physical health, stopped going outside. Socializing during adolescent years is paramount, and I believe in a few years when we have more data, it will likely show that younger people had a more difficult time during this disaster,” said Gilligan.

Some students like an anonymous student ‘23, Masha Arshava ‘24, Huynh ‘23, and Briar Martin ‘24 have spoken to the effect quarantine has and continues to have on their lives as a whole.

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Next year most students will be back learning in-person at schools after enduring the unprecedented addition of quarantine to the adolescent experience. Iowa now has no mask mandate, and legislation against individual schools or school districts requiring students to wear masks. This has resulted in anxiety and fears about what next year will look like.

“I think it’s helpful to remind ourselves that we are living through a disaster. We have all experienced this disaster differently,” said Gilligan.

students are left with fears of the classroom after learning online in an unconventional format. There are hundreds of words news outlets, students, and teachers could try to use to categorize the fears for next year but Kevy Huynh ‘23 explains it best. “I’m nervous about people,” said Huynh ‘23.

People are what’s unpredictable.

Throughout this pandemic, if we have been taught anything, it’s that people’s actions are incalculable. It’s shown us that we can be ignorant perpetuating a pandemic but we can also be incredibly resilient creating new ways to be together, new ways to learn, and new ways to heal.

For an entire year, students have been taught to separate, isolate, and fear the outside world in the midst of a deadly virus sweeping the globe.

But now after all of that, students are supposed to go back to crowded classrooms, expected to feel safe. Along with fears regarding safety, some

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AADA- 4 in 10 Americnas are more nervous this year than last.

AADA- 48% of parents report that the pandemic has caused mental health problems for one or more of their children.

AADA- Only 43.2% of those with general anxiety disorder ever recieve treatment.

AADA- General anxiety disorder affects 3.1% or 6.8 million Americans.

It is twice as common in women.

AADA- 36% of those with social anxiety disorder reported having symptoms 10 or more years before they sought treatment.

AADA- Social anxiety disorder affects 6.8% of the population or 15 million people. Symptoms usually begin around 13 years of age (just in time for high school).

AADA- Anxiety and Depression Association of America Job No.: 005712

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3 Things

To Get

You Outside

By Ginger McCartney

Throughout this year many students have been cooped up and dealing with serious mental health issues like depression and anxiety, I know I have. One thing that has helped me immensely was simply getting outside and being in public, even though it was scary.

Being out in nature has been linked to many health benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Besides cognitive benefits, there are also multitudes of emotional benefits like an increase in happiness, subjective well-being, and positive social interactions.

In quarantine, like many people, I struggled with worsening anxiety and depression.

One thing that helped me feel better was getting away from my computer and going outside.

Not only was going outside and being in contact with nature helpful but the act of putting on actual clothes seemed to improve my mood. Here I have three easy things that could help get you outside and possibly feeling more optimistic.

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By Lilly Graham

Java House 20

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Dan

After a grueling school year, we are all eager for summer. A high-

light of summer vacation is spending some quality downtime with friends. The WSS lists their favorite things to do with friends that you should try this summer.

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The Java House

Dane’s Dairy

Address: 713 Mormon Trek Blvd. Iowa City, IA

Address: 1430 Willow Creek Ct. Iowa City, IA

A local favorite since 1994, Java house provides its patrons with pastries and beverages ranging from chilled drinks to pour over coffee to craft teas. The downtown, Mormon Trek, and North Liberty locations also boast an Heirloom Salad Co, which has a menu that covers salads, soups, and sandwiches. The Mormon Trek Java House has extensive indoor seating with outdoor dining options.

Located off of Highway 1 West, Dane’s Dairy is the perfect place to get cones, sundaes, shakes, and twisters. Dane’s has both a drive through and counter option for ordering and is closed on Sundays. Many will bike to Dane’s then enjoy a treat on the picnic benches.

Praire Lights

Terry True Blood

Address: 15 S Dubuque St. Iowa City, IA

Address: 579 McCollister Blvd. Iowa City, IA

Prairie Lights, a bookstore downtown, has recently reopened to allow walk-in shopping with masks. Prairie Lights will still offer online ordering for curbside pickup or free delivery. Prairie Lights spans three floors with a large assortment of literature and has been operating since 1978.

Terry Trueblood has a wide array of activities to escape in nature. There are kayak, paddle boat, and paddle board rentals, along with 1.9 miles of trail.

City Park Pool

Molly’s Cupcakes

After closure last summer due to COVID-19, the 72 year old City Park Pool will reopen in time for this summer with new protocols. Reservations for 45 minute time blocks must be made either online or by phone for $4 a person to be allowed in the pool General COVID-19 safety practices will be in place, such as maintaining 6 ft of distance and wearing masks outside of the water.

Winner of Cupcake Wars in 2009, Molly’s Cupcakes makes their cupcakes in house daily. You can build your own cupcakes or choose from a variety of options including vegan and gluten free varieties. Aside from cupcakes, Molly’s also sells homemade ice cream, cookies, pies, and cheesecakes.

Address: 14 S Clinton St. Iowa City, IA

Address: 200 Park Rd. Iowa City, IA

City Park Pool Images provided by the businesses Images by courtesy of the businesses Job No.: 005712

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