The Parker Weekly, Page 1
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The Parker Weekly Happy February Break!
Volume CX, Issue 7
A NEW LAYER OF PROTECTION
TO ZOOM OR NOT TO ZOOM?
Parker Employees Offered COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
Shakespeare Slam Team Performs Virtually By Jacob Boxerman
By Tess Wayland
I
A
fter months of discussing a potential COVID-19 vaccine in her classroom, Upper School Science Teacher Kara Schupp received a call from Parker -- she was eligible for the vaccine and could make an appointment. Two days later, she had received her first dose. The mRNA and proteins that were once curriculum are now giving her 50% immunity against the coronavirus. According to an email sent by School Nurse Anne Nelson on January 24, Parker “partnered” with Innovative Express Care, a private, Chicago-based urgent-care chain, to offer all employees the coronavirus vaccine under Chicago’s 1B vaccination phase. According to chicago.gov, phase 1B allows for Chicagoans who are “age 65+” to be vaccinated along with “specific groups of highest-risk and front-line essential workers,” such as firefighters, healthcare workers, and teachers. “We’re doing the best we can to prioritize these groups and the city is giving us the vaccines as they get them,” CEO and Founder of Innovative Care Rahul Khare, whose son Cameron Khare is an eighth grader at Parker, said in a video posed by WGN TV. The Innovative Care website directs those in groups 1a and 1b for vaccinations to their general appointments page, with limited availability based on the dosage supplied by the city. Parker teachers received instructions to enter a password, given to them by Nelson, after pressing the “book appointment” page on the site. The link was due to be sent on the evening of January 26, but instead was provided early on the 24 offering appointments on January 25 or January 26, the first week of the new semester. Upper School faculty returned to school the following Monday. Nelson is also a member of Parker’s Medical Subcommittee. “We’ve been working real hard on all the protocols for Parker, and we’ve been working to try and get a vaccine,” Nelson said. “Innovative Care was able to get the vaccine, and they were going to offer it to many schools, not
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February 12, 2021
An example of a COVID-19 PCR Screening Test that a student must turn in to the school in order to return to campus. Photo courtesy of Arjun Kalra.
COVID-19 SCREENING
Parker Partners With SafeGuard Surveillance to Provide COVID-19 PCR Screening Tests
O
By Nick Skok
n January 15th, Principal Dan Frank and Head of Upper School Justin Brandon sent an email to the Upper School presenting a detailed plan about Parker’s new confidential COVID-19 screening process, brought to Parker via partnership with SafeGuard Surveillance, beginning on February 1st. While Parker was thinking of ways to bring the Upper School back in the building, they observed schools such as New Trier and Anshe Emet that were successfully using the same screening program. Members of Parker’s Medical Subcommittee brought up the idea of adding the screenings as an extra layer of mitigation, and a community member reached out to SafeGuard Surveillance and asked if Parker could participate in their services. The screening program requires students to submit saliva samples in tubes that Parker sent out to each Upper School student returning to the building. Each tube has a barcode unique to the student, and students are responsible for bringing the sample to Parker in time for their in-person learning. Students who come to school on Monday must submit their samples to Parker the previous Friday night or Saturday morning, and students who come to school on Thursday must submit their samples Tuesday night or Wednesday morning of that same week. School Nurse and member of the Medical Subcommittee Anne Nelson oversees the screening results. “This particular test is a screening test, but it
correlates really well with a PCR,” Nelson said. “If you end up with a positive on your screening test, I would be calling you and saying you need to get a PCR test to find our for sure.” Parker’s first experience using these samples was after grades K-8 returned from Winter Break. Each student that was going to school in-person had to submit their sample to Parker and be negative in order to come to school after the break. Parker plans to implement the same process after February break for the entire school, but only students in the Upper School will follow the screening schedule listed above for in-person learning. Screening is also required for athletics, specifically basketball, which began the week of February 1st. In the first week, all athletes had to submit samples to the school on Friday night or Saturday morning in order to be allowed to practice on Monday. Moving forward, according to Nelson, athletes will need to be screened twice a week to continue to practice because of the sport’s high risk. “As far as athletics, it’s a big step for our student athletes to come back more in-person…,” Athletic Director Bobby Starks said. “We think it’s huge. It’s not the magic bullet, but the more layers of mitigation that we have the safer we are as a school community.” As of now, many schools across Chicago are unable to have a basketball season due to the inability to provide extra layers of safety, such as a screening program. “I think it’s a resource that we’re definitely fortunate to have or even rely on,”
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n t h e t r a d i t i o n o f Wi l l i a m Shakespeare, who wrote his play ‘King Lear’ during a plague, Parker’s Shakespeare Slam team joined in a citywide pandemic production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” culminating in a nearly two-hour long staging of the play. Directed and sponsored by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Shakespeare Slam is a competition open to Chicago-area high school students based around the works of playwright William Shakespeare. Teams are judged based on their own rendition and performance of the works of Shakespeare, usually one that lines up with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s season. This year, however, the competition and dream round were put on hold, and a new experiment was formed. “This year due to COVID-19, they shook it up. And I actually love the way they did it,” Upper School English teacher and Shakespeare Slam faculty sponsor Cory Zeller said. “I think it’s so great.” Prior to this year, each competing team selects a scene from one of Shakespeare’s plays to perform, and then the team is judged on their interpretation of the scene after a live performance. In addition to the performance, teams reimagine one of Shakespeare’s plays and build a new performance out of lines from the play, known as the “dream round.” This year, rather than the standard competition with separate performances of the same scene, more than 40 schools from across the Chicagoland area joined together to create a full-length production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” the play selected by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which was then shared on YouTube. “The focus became on doing a scene from a play,” Zeller said. “Except for this year they chose the play, and they elected ‘Hamlet.’ They thought it really spoke to the time and about how teenagers cope with loss and grief and hardship.” After the play was selected and announced, Parker’s Shakespeare Slam team, which consists of junior Ava Utigard, seniors Will Ehrlich and Grayson Schementi, and advisors Zeller and former Upper
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T he P arker W eekly
“The Weekly” is supported by an endowment created in memory of Brad Davis ‘98 “Weekly” Staff ‘96-’98, “Weekly” Editor-in-Chief ‘97-’98
In this issue:
staff
Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Online Editor News Editor Features Editor Opinions Editor Photo Editor Political Liaison Culture Critic Culture Critic Columnist Columnist Columnist Columnist Cartoonist Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor
Zach Joseph Julia Marks Nick Skok Tess Wayland Jacob Boxerman Emma Manley Sofia Brown Gabe Wrubel Grace Conrad Leila Sheridan Scarlett Pencak Lilly Satterfield Rosey Limmer Spencer O’Brien Denise Román Grayson Schementi Maddy Leja Samantha Graines Max Keller Alya Satchu Eden Stranahan
The Editorial Board of “The Parker Weekly” consists of the Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, News Editor, Features Editor, Opinions Editor, and Online Editor.
Letter From The Editors
Hi Parker! Happy February Break! We hope this this new shift to hybrid learning has gone well for all of you, both inside and out of the school. As the school takes a week off, we hope that this issue of “The Weekly” helps brighten your day and strengthen the feeling of community we aspire to create. We are extremely proud of our staff who worked on this issue, so please make sure to congratulate our writers! We have some great pieces to check out. Be sure to read Emma Manley’s piece on Middle School Clubs during the pandemic and Alya Satchu’s article on Upper School students who are remaining remote for the time being. And, of course, we cannot sign off before mentioning our wonderful website, parkerweekly.org, which we continue to update with exclusive and exciting content!! We miss you all so much. Stay safe! Love, Zach, Julia, and Nick
writers Zach Joseph ‘21 Rosey Limmer ‘21 Julia Marks ‘21 Denise Román ‘21 Alex Schapiro ‘21 Grayson Schementi ‘21 Nathan Siskel ‘21 Nick Skok ‘21 Jacob Boxerman ‘22 Sofia Brown ‘22
Emma Manley ‘22 Tess Wayland ‘22 Ana Franco ‘23 Samantha Graines ‘23 Sophia Jones ‘23 Max Keller ‘23 Alya Satchu ‘23 Owen Stepan ‘23 Lucy Wrubel ‘23 Harry Lowitz ‘24
contributing faculty Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor
Kate Tabor Eric Rampson
Quote of “The Weekly” “What are some other plays of Aristophanes besides ‘The Clouds?’” — Carter Wagner “Um, earth, wind, and fire?” — Zach Joseph
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Playlist of “The Weekly” A VALENTINE’S DAY PLAYLIST By Alex Schapiro
The full mix can be accessed at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wEKv9KliYSMjz2UjlsLcO or by scanning the code below.
MY GIRL
ISN’T SHE LOVELY
by The Temptations
by Stevie Wonder
CAN’T HURRY LOVE
BROWN EYED GIRL
by The Supremes
UMBRELLA
by Van Morrison
by Rihanna and JAY Z
JUKE JAM WOULDN’T IT BE NICE by The Beach Boys
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
HOW SWEET IT IS (TO BE LOVED BY YOU)
by Chance The Rapper, Justin Bieber, and Towiko
by The Beatles
by James Taylor
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE by The Beatles
HERE COMES THE SUN by The Beatles
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
GREATEST LOVE OF ALL
CRAZY IN LOVE by Beyonce and JAY Z
by Celine Dion
by Whitney Houston
EASY (LIKE SUNDAY MORNING) CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU by Frankie Valli
by Charles Givings
INSEPERABLE by Natalie Cole
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND
POWER TRIP by J.Cole and Miguel
by Carole King
Have something to say about what was published in this issue of “The Weekly”? Email our Managing Editor at twayland@fwparker.org and write a Letter to the Editors to be published in our next issue!
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Politics & Precautions
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A GLANCE INTO THE US POLITICAL CLIMATE Through The Parker Lens By Max Keller The lead up to the quadriannual A me r i c a n r i t u a l o f a Presidential Inauguration was anything but typical. It took until November 7, 2020, five days after Election Day, for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden to be declared the winner. The American people endured more than 60 lawsuits by a disappointed, now former, President Donald J. Trump. Trump convinced a majority of the members of his party, as well as his constituency that the election was stolen and that Trump was entitled to another four years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia failed to change the outcome of the election. Rather than accept reality, Trump asked the Georgia Secretary of State to “find” him 11,780 votes, just one more vote than Biden received, so that Trump could claim victory in Georgia. When that effort failed, Trump summoned his followers to Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 in an attempt to stop the House of Representatives and the
With the new administration comes conversations in the Parker community. Photo courtesy of Kathy Fang, NSPA.
Senate from completing the constitutionally required ministerial task of recording the final tally of the Electoral College. While the tally was stalled for hours due to a violent insurrection and attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters that resulted
in five deaths, the final tally of 306 electoral votes for Biden was certified in the early morning hours of January 7, 2021. At long last, it appeared that the 2020 Presidential election was over and the American people could begin planning for the inauguration
of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at 12pm on January 20, 2021. In true 2020 form, the January 20, 2021 inauguration would be different, or unprecedented, just like everything else that was once normal. Although 330 million Americans went to bed on January 19th with the promise of a new political administration within reach, circumstances would fundamentally alter almost every aspect of the event. The realities of the recent attack on the Capitol and the 25,000 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. necessary due to White nationalist “chatter,” the outgoing President’s refusal to attend the Inauguration or even acknowledge the President-elect, and the raging COVID-19 pandemic that kept the National Mall completely empty, made clear this would be a different type of celebration. Despite all the differences, there were some comforting similarities to the pomp and circumstance of
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TRACK AND ZOOM
Indoor Track and Field Has Been Classified as a High Risk Sport By Ana Franco Getting in shape for indoor track season, student-athletes ordinarily start running through the third-floor hallways, jumping over backpacks and running between crowds. This indoor track season is yet another season that will not look the same as it has in the past. During the fall season, Parker did their best to try and sustain as many of the fall sports as possible. Parker will continue to make sure studentathletes are able to have some sort of an indoor track season. On January 25, Upper School students and parents received an email from Athletic Director Bobby Starks regarding the winter, spring, and summer sports. The Parker indoor track season was scheduled to begin on January 25 and end on March 26. The Athletic Department, with help from the Medical Subcommittee, has come to the decision that Indoor Track practices will be unsafe for the student-athletes, coaches, and the school community. With that, they have decided to cancel all indoor-track practices for the season. However, the coaches and Athletic Department will do their best to conduct remote activities throughout the season. The students-athletes that choose to participate in indoor track will be receiving another update the first week of February regarding how these activities will look for the rest of the season. Last year the season began the first week of February. This year the season will look different, but the coaches, Athletic Department, and captains have
been discussing other options to have a were allowed to have the entire team for memorable season while staying safe. The practices without having to break the team captains have discussed that since they down into small groups. Starks states that some studentaren’t allowed to meet in person, they could use the app Strava or other team running athletes and parents have reached out to the athletic department about the season. apps. Strava is an app that tracks runs, “Our department is committed to providing meaningful athletic bicycle rides, and walks and can share “Overall I am disappointed opportunities for our students,” Starks said. progress with the whole team. The in not having a season, but I “This year as we deal Field Hockey team have full confidence in their with the pandemic the guidance and used this app this sports department to try and circumstances of year when they in the state weren’t allowed to make the winter season the athletics of Illinois have not meet in person. been static therefore Unlike Cross best it can be.” there is uncertainty Country in the fall, indoor track is in the winter and inside. with each season and that is truly frustrating.” This year, Indoor Track and Field meets Typically, the team practices indoors and on-campus for most of the season, as it is will look very different than previous years. too cold to run outside. This is one of many Throughout all IHSA sports, the number of reasons why it is considered a high risk sport scheduled competitions has been reduced and was cancelled for the rest of the season. drastically because of the state guidelines This year Indoor Track and Field was that determine the risk level of the sport. The scheduled to begin on January 25. However, risk level dictates if a sport is only allowed due to the current state of Illinois Tier 3 to participate in practice or if the team can Mitigations, Starks is hoping that the Indoor practice and participate in competitions as Track team will enjoy the virtual activities well. Due to the risk level and structure of that will be provided. According to Starks, Indoor Track meets, the meets that Parker Parker will be following the city, state, and typically participate in are on pause at the IHSA guidelines for the rest of the season. moment. Starks believes it is highly unlikely In the fall, the Tier 3 Mitigations that meets will be hosted this season. It is allowed groups of up to 50. In the fall, the also unlikely that schools will host virtual three teams that were able to have a season Indoor Track and Field meets because that
has not been presented as an option. Sophomore Ben Rachel was caught off guard by the email Starks sent out to the school. “I totally thought that our indoor track season was going to be cancelled.” Rachel says. Although the practices have been canceled, there will still be remote team activities. Rachel has low expectations for the season. He thinks that the coaches will have a remote check-in with the team while the athletes follow a running schedule. With all the CDC Covid protocols and IHSA rules, there isn’t much hope of finding a way to practice as a team. Ben Rachel was on the Cross Country team in the fall and has no doubt that the Athletic Department will try and make the best out of this Indoor Track season since they made a huge effort for the fall sports. “Overall I am disappointed in not having a season, but I have full confidence in their sports department to try and make the winter season the best it can be,” Rachel said. The Parker freshmen have experienced their first year of high school like no other. There is not a single day of online learning that resembles a normal in-person high school day. Freshman Isabel Markel participated in Cross Country in the fall and planned to participate in Indoor Track this winter. Markel wanted to participate in Track and Field this year because last year Markel attended the British International
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Features
WHAT’S UP WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle School Clubs and Affinity Groups Continue to Meet on Zoom By Emma Manley
After coming home from school, Middle Schoolers open Google Classroom and access Zoom links. They see their friends and teachers once again, but this time, it is for club meetings. While classes are in person, clubs, ally, and affinity groups have all been required to become virtual. Almost every Middle School club -- 12 during the fall -- have moved to an online format and meets after school. Since students are assigned pods for contact tracing of COVID-19, the clubs meet virtually in order to reduce any transmission of the coronavirus. Students have an hour after school ends before clubs start for them to commute home. Those who are unable to get home are able to stay after school. There are three slots every afternoon for club meetings that are 30 or 45 minutes long. Faculty sponsors choose a time slot and Intermediate and Middle School Dean of Student Life Tray White creates the schedule every eight weeks. “My hope is that maybe at the end of this eight weeks COVID will go away,” White said. Students access links for the clubs and schedules through Google Classroom.
Middle School Model UN meeting over zoom. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Nishimoto-Lorenzo.
The weekly schedules are posted under the classwork section and each schedule document has the time and link for the clubs. “We’ve had to be really creative with how we transition activities whether it’s clubs or an affinity or an ally group,” White said. “How do you transfer a really intense conversation or processing spaces and celebratory spaces about identity? How do you do that in a confidential way, in a way that brings community on zoom? Not to
have a physical presence is a definite loss, but we found other ways to keep community, to foster that, to cultivate that.” The only club that was not able to move online was Board and Card Games Club. Seventh Grade Math Teacher and Board and Card Games Club faculty sponsor Chris Stader hopes to have the group start again. “The biggest challenge is just with moving to a virtual space with physical games and having a much more limited selection of
games that are available to play,” Stader said. Middle School Model UN has continued to meet and do symposiums online. Usually, Middle School Model UN would meet on Wednesdays at 3:30 but now they meet each Wednesday at 4:00 to 4:45. According to Eighth Grade history teacher Stephanie Nishimoto-Lorenzo, the format of Middle School Model UN has not changed very much. The delegates are continuing to work on a three week rotation of introducing and researching a topic, working on additional research and skills, and a symposium. The main change is that since club meetings are shorter, symposiums take more than one session. Nishimoto-Lorenzo also is the faculty sponsor for Asian/Asian American Affinity Alliance. While in person, the affinity group would meet during lunch and share food but now they meet after school. Asian/Asian American Affinity Alliance serves as a space for students who identify as Asian or Asian American to come together. Though there are less students attending the affinity group,
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STUDENTS STAYING HOME
Students Who Decided Against Going Back to School Share Their Opinions By Alya Satchu Throughout the past seven months, Upper School students have had no choice but to cope through school days that require the completion of profuse amounts of work in a virtual setting. Now students that have chosen to do so line up outside campus twice every four weeks to reunite themselves with theIR Model Home. Other students believe that the change in location is misguided. On January 8 an email was sent by Head of Upper School Justin Brandon about the newly formulated hybrid schedule to return Upper Schoolers to campus. Students had the option to return to school or completely remain on a remote learning platform. Students who decided to return to school enter campus twice every two weeks with half of the students in their grade. Each grade is split into Group A and Group B. The students who are not on campus at a certain time continue to work virtually. The new schedule provided by the administration applies to both students learning in-person and remotely with a few differences. Some students within the Parker community have decided that continuing to learn completely virtual is the best option for them due to the ongoing pandemic. The upcoming months are senior Ada Collins’ last months at Parker. She has decided to refrain from returning to the building for her own safety. “The situation is just really bad, and I sort of accepted that my senior year isn’t going to be great, and that’s fine with
me,” Collins said. “I’d rather be safe than be a risk for other people. I think at the end of the day, health matters more than having that typical senior year.” Senior Grayson Schementi doesn’t feel that the new schedule meets his standards for senior year. “I think that the current hybrid system and the way that they’ve structured it does not match the expectation for my senior year at all,” Schementi said. “I feel like I’d be trying to force an optimistic outlook on a situation, and I just don’t want to do that. Especially because it is my senior year and I wouldn’t have ownership and control over it.” Other students have their own reasons why returning to school is not the best option for them. Freshman Emily Loma suffers from a preexisting condition and has a long commute to get to school. For these reasons, Loma and her family have decided it’s best for her to stay home. She has also witnessed how detrimental the virus can be. “I have family members all over the world, and I’ve seen one of their friends die of COVID-19,” Loma said. “So, that kind of made me put into perspective what should be at the top of my list, which is not getting sick. I think everyone should realize, just because we want to go back to school, that shouldn’t be at the top of our list right now.” Sophomore Gabriella Watkins is prioritizing safety for herself and her family. “I think it’s better for me to stay at home
because I’m in the comfort of my own home. I’m also staying safe for my sake and my family’s sake, and I’m not putting anyone in danger,” Watkins said. The new in-person schedule calls for restructured socialization, as it divides grades and places new restrictions that students need to follow throughout the day. Sophomore Litzy Tafolla believes that these restrictions will cause difficulties among teachers and students. “I think it [the new schedule] makes it difficult for teachers to have cross-grade classes and it adds a lot of difficulties that could be reduced for not only teachers but students,” Tafolla said. “It adds so much just for a few hours to be in school.” Parker teachers are required to return to the building and teach with few exceptions. The administration has promised a vaccination for returning teachers. Teachers additionally have to remain in the building for the entirety of the school day, while students, separated into two groups within their grade, only spend half of their day at school. Tafolla is not returning to campus and believes that the new hybrid system is unreasonable to teachers. “It’s really unfair to teachers that are older,” Tafolla said. “I think it doesn’t really take into consideration their own concerns, and it kind of just pushes for the students that do want to return to school.” Junior Nsaia Pettis agrees and is
strongly against the idea of most teachers being required to return to campus. “It’s devastating,” Pettis said. “It’s like, for example, a medical team or police enforcement. You’re putting your life on the line for someone else. Honestly, maybe that’s what they signed up to do, but putting their whole life in danger in a pandemic is really disheartening.” Tafolla believes that knowledge of technology is an important aspect to take into consideration when thinking about the teaching experience. “Having to balance being online and being in school, I know that some teachers may not be used to having to do that or dealing with technology in that way, and I feel like, in the end, it could hinder the way that students learn and make it harder for everyone to deal with it.” Another concern is the idea that some students will return to campus and then proceed to travel over breaks. Being in a pandemic, traveling can be a big risk. Pettis sees this an issue that needs to be considered. “People might go on a family vacation because they want to, which is totally understandable, but I feel like a lot of kids and specifically the parents are really inconsiderate of the fact that they have to go into school with little kids and other classmates.” Schementi suspects that students will
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College and Choir WHERE’S THE ZOOM LINK This Year’s Juniors Start College Counseling Online By Lucy Wrubel
You peer through a glass door and are greeted with warm faces and a bowl of candy as you face a room you will surely spend some time in for the rest of this year as well as next year: the college counseling office. As a junior, this process is new, intimidating, and infamous to mostly everyone. This year, these warm faces are digitized and met through a computer, and the candy bowl is nowhere to be found. The college process is new to juniors every year, often, with the exception of a sliver of previous knowledge coming from overheard conversations between your siblings and parents. Not only is the college process new to juniors this year in the challenging way that
it is to juniors every year, but, the online element is new to everyone including the junior grade heads, college admissions officers, the college counselors, the juniors themselves, and more. Some juniors find that a good way to deal with the added tasks of college counseling is to focus on the way you look at the process. Junior Xander Mesires, suggests reminding yourself of the intentions of the college counseling team-- to benefit the students. Junior Ruby Radis has a similar mindset, nudging those going through the college process to remember to calm yourself down because in the end, “you’re going to be fine.” Junior Elsie Rattner emphasizes the
importance of organization and preparation. “Junior year is not the time to stress about the actual process,” Rattner said, “Don’t go overboard.” Radis and Mesires agree that it is not worth worrying, and Mesires emphasizes how important it is for juniors to maintain their grades but hopes everyone knows that spending hours stressing will not help. This year has brought a variety of differing types of challenges to students. “I feel that the largest effect that online school has had is that we don’t get to have a close connection and develop a relationship with the college counseling team,” Rattner said. Rattner views the lack of important relationships as one of her main concerns,
but Mesires mentions his concerns around looking around and learning about the actual colleges. However, he is optimistic that he will soon be able to go through this in a less abnormal manner as time goes on. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been small, but noticeable, amounts of curriculum that were not included this year. “I definitely think this year of online schooling will affect us all for the rest of our lives,” Radis said. When diving into this long, important, process, it is important to remember that it flows differently for everyone. Radis believes that everyone ends up doing something, but that something looks different for everything.
AN ACA-WELCOME
Getting To Know Emma Castaldi’s Long-Term Substitute By Samantha Graines A blue and yellow checkered kite fills the sky. At the end of the string, flying the rope is Christie Chiles Twillie. On the weekends, Twillie likes to fly kites, but on the weekdays she is leading Parker’s various choir classes. Twillie has recently taken on the role of Middle and Upper School Music Teacher Emma Castaldi’s long-term substitute since Castaldi is on maternity leave. Twillie is a professional pianist, music director, and vocal coach. She graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in piano performance but was not always planning on majoring in music. “When I was about to graduate from high school, even though I had scholarships for biology, I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to major in Piano instead,” Twillie said. “That was a huge deal because I was pretty sure I wanted to work in the medical field.” Before becoming Castaldi’s long-term substitute, she was involved in the Parker community through her accompanying, helping out with musicals, vocal studio, and doing the Woman in Music MX every year. When she is not at Parker, she works in equity theatre. “I was either working as a conductor and vocal coach training casts or working on film-scoring and writing original music for plays,” Twillie said. Twillie grew up surrounded by music, and it was an integral part of her and her family’s life. Her parents had a music store, and her father was a professional musician. “I started playing music when I was really young,” Twillie said. Castaldi and Twillie are good friends, and Castaldi was the one who recommended Twillie apply for the position. Twillie was excited to get the job. “I had already met a lot of the students there [Parker] through
Photo of Cristie teaching her freshman class. Photo by Gray Joseph.
the vocal studio class and through doing the ‘Woman in Music MX’ every year, so I knew it was a great welcoming community and one that appreciated the arts,” Twillie said. “When the opportunity was there, it made sense.” The biggest challenge that Twillie had faced is adjusting. “I came in at an awkward time and had to learn really quickly how to just pick up where we left off,” Twillie said. Despite any worries Twillie had, sophomore Lucas Daskal, a member of Grape Jam and Concert Choir, thinks the transition has been smooth. “When the semester started, Ms. Twillie stepped in, and so far I think she has done a very good job, especially considering the circumstances,” Daskal said. “I applaud her for what she has done so far.” Daskal also believes that Twillie has done a good job adapting to the new schedule. She has tasked her classes with various recording projects and new songs including the Pentatonics version of “Take On Me, ” “Amazing,” and others. “We have been
doing the same thing in Grape Jam as Concert Choir. We just recently learned a song called ‘Water Fountain’ which we recorded the week of finals,” junior Sophia Rogers, a member of Grape Jam and Concert Choir said. One of the biggest difficulties that students have faced is how Twillie wants students to submit their voice recordings. “By now I’m sure most, if not everyone, are used to how Ms. Castaldi asked us to do it,” an anonymous student said, “But Ms. Christie has changed it so it feels a bit more confusing and seems to take a bit longer.” One difference that students have noted between Castaldi and Twillie is how the class is run. Castaldi had taught fewer songs but focused more on meeting other students. Whereas, Twillie has zoomed in on learning more songs. “I know Ms. Christie has only been here a few weeks so far, but it seems as though Ms. Christie wants us to learn more songs instead of discovering our own love for music through different activities,” an anonymous student said.
Daskal has noted another difference which is the workload. Twillie has provided the students with a heavier workload. “Ms. Twillie gives us assignments every class, and Ms. Castadi was more chill. She would say complete this by next week, and Twillie will give us an assignment every class,” Daskal said. Rogers believes that Twillie has been understanding of the unprecedented struggles of excessive zoom time and remote learning. “She was able to empathize and laugh and overall cheer me up a little after beginning to feel overwhelmed having so much work that I had to get done,” Rogers said. In addition to her empathy, Roger’s notes that she is cheerful during class time. “She is passionate about music and is productive with student work in and out of class,” Rogers said. Daskal has also appreciated the positive presence that she brings to the virtual classroom. “She is really nice. She is energetic. She loves to laugh,” Daskal said. Twillie has enjoyed the student’s enthusiasm to try different things so far. “I find that Parker students are very openminded. I also love that they are very outspoken and can share their concerns when they have them,” Twillie said. “I think their eagerness to try and to learn and to succeed has been the most fulfilling for me.” Although Twillie will only be leading Parker’s chorus for the duration of Castaldi’s absence, she wants to stay involved in the Parker community. “I plan to still help with musicals if they need it. I am deeply involved with the musical, even now,” Twillie said. “Also, I will accompany her and, or make recordings for her classes for as long as Parker needs me.”
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Semester Recaps
The Parker Weekly, Page 7
SG HIGHLIGHTS
A Recap of the First Semester of Student Government By Harry Lowitz
Can Student Government be productive remotely? Will the challenges of COVID-19 make it impossible for Student Government to get anything done? Leaders of the Parker Student Government were thinking of those questions as they prepared for a semester that seemed impossible but proved to be quite prolific. “This year was incredibly daunting,” Student Government President and senior Carter Wagner said, referring to the challenges of doing Student Government online because of the coronavirus, “The fact that we were even able to pass anything, I think was far more than I could even have hoped for, that like we got something done.” While acknowledging his bias, Wagner deemed it one of “the most productive years” that Parker Student Government has had since he has been at Parker. One of Wagner’s main points in his campaign platform was a strengthened focus on external proposals as opposed to internal proposals that make change within student government. Wagner believes that although internal proposals are productive, external proposals fulfil the purpose of Student Government. “This year the name
Student Government’s Cabinet meeting over Zoom. Photo by Grace Conrad.
of the game has been external proposals, “ Wagner said. “I really saw a pattern of students identifying problems, brainstorming solutions, calling upon each other to support them, incorporating different ideas in a meaningful way,” Upper School history teacher and Student Government faculty sponsor Jeanne Barr said. Senior Month, also known as May Month, was one of the first things discussed this past semester in Student Government. It is a program, proposed last school year,
in which seniors find internships or projects to work on instead of being in school for the month of May. The conversations revolved around whether or not it should happen this year or later, considering the factors of the senior class’s opinions and the coronavirus. Wagner co-authored the Senior Month proposal with Student Government Executive Advisor and senior Ava Ori. According to Wagner, the proposal presented the Student Body’s perspective on Senior Month which they opposed if high school would be on campus by then. The proposal
was passed in October with over 90% approval. “It was an awesome way to start the year from the point of view of engaging, important, meaningful, purposeful debate,” Barr said. “It was a real issue.” Barr commended Ori’s infographics that were very helpful in understanding how the students felt about Senior Month. There has not been very much communication from the Administration regarding plans for Senior Month this May. Wagner expected that if the current hybrid schedule remains in use, Senior Month was likely to occur because students agreed that they would rather do Senior Month than remote learning or a mostly remote schedule. The Student Body can expect more Senior Month negotiation as May gets closer. The Homework Consistency Rules resolution, renamed the Academic Consistency Rules Resolution, was created by junior Emma Manley and sophomore Jack Kahan and was presented and passed in November. The resolution aimed to create
Continued on page 13
EFFORT VS. MEMORY How Projects Took Over Finals Week By Sophia Jones At the end of every semester, students face finals: a week of tests and projects that could make or break their grade. Often, this is a time of stress and seemingly endless studying. However, with the Upper School fully virtual for the first semester, students faced a different type of finals. Rather than tests, teachers assigned projects and presentations, with some canceling finals for their class altogether. For both students and teachers, this was an adjustment. For Upper Schoolers already spending hours a day on Zoom, giving a test their undivided attention for two hours can be difficult. “I had one test and four projects,” sophomore Nariya Cooke said. “I loved having mostly projects. My test took two hours, and by the time I got up, I had a bad headache and felt dizzy.” Unlike tests, working on a project can be spread out over time, often leading students to seek perfection and the elusive A. “I don’t think the teachers realized how much work they were giving,” freshman Hanna Bilgin said. “People think projects are easier, but they’re a lot more work. I like having tests and projects.” Although projects add to the student’s workload, they are also free from surprises. Many students have experienced studying for a test only to find that it centers on another topic. “Having projects was much
less restrictive and stressful,” Cooke said. “Most of my projects were open ended, I got to pick what I was doing and there wasn’t the worry of wondering what would be on the test.” Projects also cut down on the possibilities of cheating. Although students utilized each other and the Internet to
DigiExam was difficult to set up and wasted valuable test taking time. “I don’t think that tests can really work over Zoom,” Cooke said. “There’s so much that can go wrong.” “I think people may have cheated on the test we took,” Bilgin said. “But it’s hard to stop that. It really depends on the class.” The entire math department of the
“I don’t think that tests can really work over Zoom...There’s so much that can go wrong.” work, their projects were fundamentally their own. Academic integrity has been a problem throughout online learning. With the Internet at the fingertips of the test takers, and teachers unable to see the screens of the students, cheating is easier than it ever has been before. Upper School Mandarin teacher Min-I Lee used DigiExam for her final test. “It definitely stopped people from cheating,” Cooke said. “It locked your browser, and if there is a teacher watching where you’re looking it’s hard to cheat.” However, this wasn’t a perfect solution.
Upper School agreed not to give their students year long final tests this year. While many students were happy with this decision, the projects that took the place of the tests were not easy. “The math department wanted to acknowledge that students may not be able to perform at their optimal level of achievement due to the limitations of remote learning.” Upper School mathematics teacher Robert Wilson said. “I think that whether or not to test depends on the class,” Bilgin said. “English shouldn’t have a test that sounds weird, but
Math should.” Cooke and Bilgin had opposing views when it came to the balance of tests and projects. “For me, projects are a better way to show how much I’ve learned in a class.” Cooke said. “It’s focused on my effort and knowledge, not how fast I can go or how much I can remember off the top of my head.” However, Bilgin felt that the projects lacked enough direction and clarity. “We’re freshmen -- we’re new to this. Teachers didn’t seem like they were listening to us ask for help. One of my teachers did listen to our ideas and basically changed his whole final for us. That was really nice.” Some teachers canceled finals for their class altogether. ‘I didn’t have an English final,” Cooke said. “My teacher was prioritizing our mental health in a stressful time. For some classes, I don’t think a final is really effective.” Looking towards the future, students wonder what finals will look like. “I like a diversity of tests and projects,” Bilgin said. “I hope that they keep it a mix instead of just tests.” Cooke agreed. “I hope we continue to use projects in some classes. Some classes need tests, but some don’t. I think this finals week showed that projects can be more effective in some subjects.”
The Parker Weekly, Page 8
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Features
TEACHERS’ THOUGHTS?
Faculty Shares Opinions on Required to Return to Campus By Sofia Brown There are mixed feelings circulating the Upper School as students and faculty experience their first taste of in-person learning since the beginning of the school year. Parker teachers are required to return for the in-person periods unless they provide evidence of extenuating medical circumstances. While the concern of contracting COVID-19 is sufficient for students to opt out of in person school, that is not the case for faculty. Some teachers were granted permission by the school to remain teaching online, however the majority would not qualify. “The process is by no means easy,” Science Department Co-Chair George Austin said. He is one of the teachers remaining online at least until after February break. “My impression, which I must admit is purely anecdotal and far from scientific data, is that very few have actually been allowed to do it despite many having asked not to come in for a variety of reasons.” Following the release of the new hybrid schedule on January 8, the Upper School teachers were given until a week into the second semester to plan their lessons accordingly. However even with a written plan, it’s impossible to predict exactly how everything will run. English Department Co-Chair Matt Laufer noted that he hasn’t been able to plan for a lot of his classes due to this uncertainty. “I don’t really know how it’s going to feel,” he said. “I don’t know if there’s going to be, for example, moments or days where I’m with students in the classroom and zooming with students at the same time.” As of Monday, January 25, Chicago is in phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations. Because Parker teachers fall into the category of “daycare, K-12 and early education workers,” they qualify to receive
the vaccine. Many have already gotten their first dose or are planning to in the near future. “This critical protection will exist along with Parker’s other ongoing protocols— mask wearing, social distancing, hand sanitizing and temperature screening,”
“I miss my students terribly… none of this is ideal and I hope that parents, faculty, and students will be patient.” Principal Dan Frank wrote in an email to the Parker community. Austin, who hasn’t seen much excitement among his fellow faculty members about returning to in-person instruction, thinks that all might change “with the school doing a magnificent job procuring vaccines for the faculty.” He remains “cautiously optimistic” on the matter. Still, some in the Parker community have raised concerns about whether or not these big changes are worth the risk. Due to Parker’s intense efforts to keep a cap on the total number of bodies in the building at any given time, students that chose to go in-person only attend school for two half days every other week. The majority of class time is still spent on Zoom. While Laufer acknowledged his appreciation towards the faculty and staff who created this plan, his “biggest concern is whether it is even worth it.” Following the loss of some faculty and the rearrangement to class schedules, he noticed that “there’s a lot of stress” both among students and teachers. Laufer isn’t alone both in his respect towards the faculty who worked to make this schedule and doubts about what it will entail. “I know a lot of really bright people, who I respect a great deal, have worked really hard to come up with the hybrid
schedule,” Austin said. “But, on the eve of rolling it out, it still leaves me with a great deal of doubt about the educational benefit of trying to safely execute such an ambitious plan at this time without sufficient vetting.” History Department co-Chair Andrew Bigelow has a different take on the matter. “I believe it is time to get ready to come back to school in small class settings,” he said. “I miss my students terribly… none of this is ideal and I hope that parents, faculty, and students will be patient with all of us as we navigate what so many schools are already doing.” Bigelow later noted that while he’d rather wait until after February break to resume in-person learning, he will do his best with the most recent schedule. He shares the same appreciation for the hard work put in by his colleagues, calling on “patience and optimism” to make it work. Bigelow also expressed his gratitude towards the Lower, Intermediate, and Middle Schools, who “laid the groundwork for the Upper School to be in person.” Parker’s K-8 grades started out the year in-person, switching to remote learning when necessary. Getting the Upper School in the building required an entirely different kind of planning, since each student’s
semester. “I understand that the school has to staff its positions and it can’t be the case that just anybody opts out for no reason at all, but it seems to me that people need to take care of themselves, and I do worry that it’s perhaps too rigorous if we end up losing some great teachers,” Laufer said, referring to the situation as “kind of a crisis.” During the initial planning stages of the back-to-school schedule, sessions were held for the teachers to provide their thoughts and suggestions. With many different opinions involved, the decision making process was a balancing act. “The question is whether they should be trying to please all constituencies—parents, teachers, students—equally,” Laufer said, “and if they’ve prioritized certain needs, is it the right prioritization?” According to Austin, few changes were made after the feedback was shared, but that “as the dedicated group of educators and professionals that we are, we are all planning to roll up our sleeves and give this experiment a go and try to be nimble, creative, and responsive in the face of the inevitable challenges that we will all face.” The hybrid model can only work if the entire Upper School student body follows the guidelines set out by the social contract and sets an example for the lower grades. “We ask that students adhere to the safety protocols both inside and outside the school that are essential to make this plan result in keeping everyone safe,” Austin said, reflecting the sentiments shared by a majority of faculty members. “Safety of the entire JK-12 Parker community should still remain the primary goal for everyone.”
“It seems to me that people need to take care of themselves, and I do worry that it’s perhaps too rigorous if we end up losing some great teachers.” unique schedule had to be taken into consideration. Some of the faculty and staff in the lower grades resigned midway through the year—a pattern which can be seen in the Upper School as well. Following the release of the new hybrid plan, there were a couple of cases in different departments of the high school with teachers resigning before the second
THE INAUGURATION OF JOE BIDEN The Parker Perspective By Owen Stepan
The current President of The United States, Joe Biden, had his inauguration on Wednesday, January 20. In preparation for the inauguration, all AirBnB and hotel services in the Washington area were cancelled due to the threat of possible riots taking place during the celebration. The inauguration was a success in terms of its safety as the celebration was heavily guarded. However, former President Donald Trump became the first president since the 1800s to skip the inauguration of his successor. Trump’s decision raises questions
about both the ethics and significance of skipping the inauguration. “It really exemplifies and symbolizes the last four years of his presidency. It shows why he was not a good choice for the Republican party, and he never should’ve been a nominee,” Upper School History teacher Andrew Bigelow said. “He created a divide and split which showed a distorted version of the Republican party that strays from the truth and is quite xenophobic. It really scares me because he prompted an unbelievable outrage which happened on the 6th. If he accepted the election results
like his Republican associates, it would’ve been avoided.” It is unclear whether the storming of the Capitol on January 6 had any lasting impactson the inauguration. “The fact that there were 25,000 military troops showed a visual impact,” Upper School History teacher Kevin Conlon said. “But specifically sitting and watching the inauguration on TV with my son asking me all types of questions about safety really had me on edge. I knew that the ragtag bunch which invaded the capital wasn’t organized and chances of a return would be slim, however I was still
on edge because I didn’t want my son to be exposed to what could’ve happened.” Nevertheless, many students are ecstatic about the transition of power. “It was what our country needed during these desperate times. I’m very glad it turned out peaceful and very glad that Trump’s reign is over,” sophomore Evan Sato said. Sato is displeased with the idea that bipartisanship doesn’t exist between our current and former president.“The fact that both presidents couldn’t shake each other’s hand and show some sort of sportsmanship is kind of sad and immature,” Sato said.
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Snowfall Spread!
The Parker Weekly, Page 9
Junior Emma Manley creates and poses with a sidewalk snow friend, Babette Snowmanley. Photos by Stephanie Manley.
Junior Julie Test’s Terrier-Chihuahua. Gemma sports her chic pink coat as she romps through the snow. Photo courtesy of Julie Test.
The return of Dexter the dog, ears flopping in the wind. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heidtke.
Senior Spencer O’Brien appreciates his handiwork at his snow brickyard. Photo by Amy O’Brien.
Junior Lorenzo Collier’s dog catches some snowflakes on his nose. Photo courtesy of Lorenzo Collier.
Junior Tess Wayland’s Freddy the Mini Snowman sports a new leafy cut after a rough day. Photo courtesy of Tess Wayland.
Freshman Anna Swanson’s dogs, Daisy and Pearl, learned to jump on the patio table. Photo courtesy of Anna Swanson.
Junior Finn Hall’s dog Otto surveys his snowy landscape on a nighttime trot. Photo courtesy of Finn Hall.
Senior Benji Gourdji braves the storm. Photo by Mia Wichman.
This golden retriever works the camera for a glamour snow shot. Photo courtesy of Junior Kavee Kirschner Alvarez.
The Parker Weekly, Page 10
Colonel Columns
A MICROSCOPE OF THE MODEL HOME
The Silence of The Students Cont. By Rosey Limmer
Cartoon by Maddy Leja.
With chaos ensuing around the country, one would hope Parker would be a safe place to share our feelings, ideas and plans for the future. However, recently Parker has felt less like the haven we would hope it to be. With its own chaos around the plan to return back to school, many students have felt discouraged in using their voice in the way Parker brags of teaching them to. At a time where we should all celebrate speaking out and making our voices heard, Parker is making our voices feel less important. If our opinions on our own education don’t matter, why would our opinions on global issues? The plan to go back to school was made and reviewed by many individuals, and while I am so thankful for the effort and hardwork, the two groups of people this plan affects most were not involved in the planning process: the majority of teachers and students. Even the Upper School Counselors, who are left to deal with the mental health of students, were not given warning about the intense increase in screen time. After the handling of Senior Month, students already felt the administration did not value their voice, but the plan to return to school confirmed all those beliefs. In the fall, the administration discussed how important the weekly surveys were and how much the student feedback impacted the creation of our fall schedule. However, these surveys suddenly stopped being sent out in the late fall, as the planning for the return to school was occurring. After each grade had a successful grade-wide event in the fall, a committee was formed to plan more in person social events. This committee not only planned no events but stopped meeting altogether.
Although I give my greatest condolences to Upper School Dean of Student Life Joe Bruno, his absence should not have determined the fate of this committee. Parker has not shown that they care about the Upper School students in the decisions they make, their allocation of space in the school, and the voices they listen to in their decision making processes. While Upper School students only get to attend school two-half days every other week, eight days in total, the rest of the school will get to spend the entirety of their time in the building. Upper Schoolers who have already missed the entire fall semester of in-person learning are once again not prioritized. Not even a compromise was made where everyone would be hybrid allowing high school students more time in the building. While I get why the Lower School must be prioritized because of access to childcare and the importance of socialization within elementary education, I cannot understand why the Middle and Upper Schools cannot both be hybrid to allow Upper Schoolers more time in the building. Even in Student Government, a place where students’ ideas should be celebrated, the Student Body argued over the wording of the Hybrid Schooling Resolution because many felt if we expressed the way we feel, in the way we want to express it, the administration would not listen, simply because they are hurt we do not like their ideas. Even while this may be totally unfounded, it should not be a worry of the students. If Parker was a true embryonic democracy, students would not only have their voices valued and celebrated, but they would know the importance of their own voice.
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I’M PRETENDING YOU ASKED Waves
By Nathan Siskel Good morning, I’m Nathan Siskel and I’m writing Spencer’s column today because he says he’s busy. I know you too have a busy day ahead in this busy world, wearing your busy multi patterned clothing and sending your busy emoji smattered texts, but I hope you have time for a bit of light reading. We live on large rock that would fancy itself complicated, a little quirky if you will, on account of it’s many green tufts and occasional earthquakes that knock them all down. The earth has been quirky for a good while, but as of late it’s gotten down right deranged. On top of our bustling cities, our myriad choices of lightbulb shape, and fraught global spice trade, we have all sorts of WAVES just flying around! The amount of tiny waves absolutely gushing out of every mobile phone, every airplane and every wifi router, every bird tracking chip and most of your brains, is absolutely bonkers. The air is full of them. Every time you send one of your busy little texts to sort out your busy little life, a blast of little waves passes RIGHT THROUGH YOU, THROUGH YOUR WALLS, and GOD KNOWS HOW FAR to their destination, but not before bouncing off of massive dinner plates floating just outside of our planet’s own personal air bubble. This article is getting to you in the same way. Needless to say, it’s a pretty controversial issue but I’ve already wasted 3 paragraphs of your time so without further ado, I’ll pretend you asked and throw some opinions at you. Waves have a lot of benefits! First off, waves are pretty. Curvaceous by nature (like me), their shape is very appealing and I’m a big fan. However, they might give you cancer. Wear earbuds when you’re making your calls so the waves from your phone don’t mess up your brain. Phone waves and brain waves just don’t mesh, apparently. But waves are better than their shape. Waves help us communicate with each other and get the news and play candy crush and send missiles in the comfort of our own homes and oh no this pro has turned into a con. Waves make things fast, they get information places quicker than our legs or even bullet trains can. And the schedules for those bullet trains would definitely not be so precise without waves telling us whats up. The fantastic ability that waves have to carry information also means MISinformation can spread just as quickly. From atop the porcelain throne messages can be weaponized and distributed to millions in just seconds, causing widespread panic, confusion, and even insurrection. We’ve seen the
effects that a single tweet can have on our nation and the roll of waves is not to be discounted. But waves have also made it possible to call for help. By calling 911 help can arrive in a matter of minutes, saving thousands of lives. We can also call for help on a societal level. Footage of police brutality has forced a new level of awareness of racism in America and the urgency of the issue. This couldn’t have reached so many corners of the country and so many previously closed minds without the help of incredible people and a few well placed waves. The moral of waves is that they are a double edged sword. With great power comes great responsibility guys, and we have that power in the palm of our hands. Have fun, but be safe, you busy you.
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Colonel Columns
THE JOYS OF LIFE Stock By Grayson Schementi Welcome back to another edition of The Joys of Life. This week, as the very financial system that we hold so dear creeps towards the edge of madness, I thought we could cover the greatest type of soup base. The master of the taste buds and the leader in its field: Stock. Stock, at its most basic, is a savory liquid. Like juice. Or tea. It is encapsulated by a taste known as “umami.” You mommy. Umami is the taste of a good steak, a hearty baked potato, or a meaty stock. Stock is when various ingredients are simmered in water. In this way, I will argue that EVERY liquid is a stock, just like every sphere is a bubble. Stock is often called bone broth: where the collagen in bones is converted to a variation of liquid-y gelatin after being exposed to heat that makes bone stock taste just oh so good (Apparently I have to teach Chemistry of Cooking after...you know). There is also a type of stock known as mirepoix (I think this is pronounced mier-pwah, but we should probably ask Ms. Pritikin. (Note from Ms. Pritikin: … … Nevermind, she didn’t respond. That’s unsurprising) This is made by throwing onions, carrots, and celery into a pot and cooking it. What does that sound like? TEA! Stock is just ONION TEA! Or bone tea. OR FISH TEA if you live in Japan and use katsuobushi fish flakes (I don’t know what those are, but they sound cool and can make tea.) And if stock = tea, then tea = stock. And tea is just water with herbs. But water, like plain H2O, is just water with water. WHICH IS WATER TEA! stock = tea = water. And water is the basis of almost every liquid ever. Therefore, therefore. Therefore therefore therefore therefore therefore therefore therefore. Sorry, my copy/paste broke. THEREFORE! All liquid is stock. I’ve PROVED IT! But what about the other kind of stock? The kind that is more...economic in nature. The kind that is, currently, in the process of falling apart like a poorly constructed Jenga tower (the Jenga tower is poorly constructed because Katherine pulled out a completely nonsensical piece and yet somehow gravity has not demanded that this abomination be pulled to the ground, and so we are stuck with Craig cautiously tapping on a block so that the loud crash doesn’t wake up the children. That’s the real journalism.) Let’s set the scene: the year is a couple years ago and some big hedge funds see that GameStop, an IN-PERSON video game retail company, is a dying business. Its intrinsic value is very low so they make a bet. This bet, called a short, allows the hedge funds to earn money off of Game Stops failure by betting on its failure. By
The Parker Weekly, Page 11
LET’S GET REAL Galentine’s Day! Have You Heard of it? By Denise Román
making a calculated risk that the stock of a dying company will remain dying. People who like Game Stop saw this and decided, “Hey, with the rules set up now, if we buy a lot of stock and make it increasingly rare, the stock will increase in price drastically and all of those hedge funds will lose billions and billions of dollars for betting on the leveling of dying businesses.” And that’s what they did. GameStop stock rose well past its expected value and hedge funds went bankrupt (only to be bailed out by other hedge funds). However, everybody cried foul. “They broke the rules,” they screamed. “They engaged in market manipulation by participating in Greater Fool Theory which states that the price of a company’s stock is determined by the demand of a specific subset of customers rather than intrinsic value (like Bitcoin) which isn’t how the stock market works!” However, this isn’t a new phenomenon. In 1637, the Dutch became so obsessed with tulips, the value of a certain tulip bud (did you know those were called buds) grew way past what the tulips was actually worth before drastically plummeting back to its expected value. This was known as Tulip Mania. So what are the take-aways? Number one: No, this isn’t illegal but it is hilarious and a perfect way to show that hedge funds betting on the death of companies are screwed up on so many levels. Number two: the market, at the end of the day, is based on the demands of the people. Not the elite few in charge, the top dogs, the nepotistic capitalists. The people demanded GameStop be worth a ton and so it was. Number three: People should not be called “stupid” for doing this. They got exactly what they wanted. Number four: People should not be forcibly censored to prevent the furthering of the protest. If Wall Street is so threatened by the participation of “casuals” in their sanctified stock market, the big investors are as much of a threat to democracy as the rioters in the capitol (Parker parent or otherwise). And finally: Do not be condescending. One thing I’ve seen is a lot of relatively affluent people who build much of their capital from the stock market being overly and maliciously condescending towards those who did this. That’ll create more things like this. If you want more short squeezes, go ahead and be rude, but if not, we have to, as is Parker’s philosophy, treat others with empathy and kindness above all else. Deal?
Cartoon by Maddy Leja.
A couple of days ago, I took a trip to Target. My intention was to buy art supplies that I needed for my Spanish final. After grabbing the Elmer’s glue and foam paper I needed, my eyes quickly spotted the Valentine’s Day aisle. There were Russell Stover assorted chocolate boxes, Damask rose bouquets with crimson bows, and life-sized teddy bears holding a heart. I was mesmerized by the display because it looked aesthetically pleasing. Instead of leaving the aisle, I started putting chocolate into my basket and bought myself a cake mix. I started to feel weird for buying myself Valentine’s Day candy and cake mix because I didn’t have a significant other, so I decided to leave them. I quickly regretted not buying them because I thought to myself, is it necessary to have a significant other to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Why can’t I just enjoy Valentine’s Day chocolate without feeling guilty or lonely? If you have felt this way or feel this way on a holiday such as Valentine’s Day, I’ve got answers. On February 13, there is a holiday called Galentine’s Day that was created by the American sitcom, “Parks and Recreation”. In one of the episodes, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) gathers her female co-workers and gives them gifts. She gives them mosaic portraits of themselves, a bottle of their favorite soda, flower pens, and each a personalized 5,000-word essay about why they’re awesome. Although the holiday is called “Galentine’s Day” which implies that it’s a holiday meant to celebrated between female friends, I think it’s a holiday that should be celebrated with your friends despite their gender. Ideally, the way you would celebrate the holiday is by gifting your friends
something or going out to dinner with them, but with the global pandemic, you can’t really do that. So instead, I recommend celebrating it by showing your appreciation for your friends. For example, if you haven’t reached out to a friend in a long time, do it. Have a Netflix watch party through Zoom or safely drop off candy at your friend’s house. Galentine’s Day is a day to show a little extra love to your friends, so they don’t feel lonely if they don’t have a significant other. My discovery about Galentine’s Day had me thinking about the Candygram event that Tampon Tuesday hosts on the week of Valentine’s Day. In the past, Tampon Tuesday would send out an email to the upper-school, saying that you can send friends Candygrams if you paid with a dollar or tampon. The tampons and money would be donated to a charity that collected feminine hygiene products to underserved communities and countries. I always looked forward to this event because it was an opportunity to send a candygram to my friends. Whenever they’d received it, they would be very grateful. Also, I could feel a sense of excitement and suspense in the hallways when Candygrams were being passed out. Before I wrap it up, I wanted to emphasize that you don’t necessarily need friends either to celebrate Galentine’s/Valentine’s Day. If you want, you can buy yourself, Russell Stover, assorted chocolate boxes and a bouquet of flowers if they appeal to you. The next time I make a trip to Target, I’m definitely going to buy myself the cake mix and chocolates I wanted. It’s important to show self-love if you get lonely during holidays such as these, like me.
The Parker Weekly, Page 12
Editorial
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EDITORIAL Opt-Out Equity
By “The Parker Weekly” When news of the hybrid schedule reached the Upper School, many students and teachers commiserated at the beginning of classes, trying to make sense of the big shift together. Both groups had similar questions about the experience of going back, the logistics of the new schedule, and the reasoning behind it. Why weren’t more students or teachers consulted? What was the motivation for the return? Would feedback be received? Though students and teachers shared similar anxieties and concerns, there was one major difference in these discussions – students can opt-out whenever they want, as long as they provide a week’s notice. Teachers can’t. Parker is fueled by the passion and dedication of its teachers. The past eight months of remote learning have been driven by their hard work and tenacity, allowing students to get a high quality of education through less than ideal circumstances. We can’t expect the same levels of enthusiasm if a teacher is uncomfortable with the terms of our return to campus. Teachers shouldn’t be asked to give up vacation time or procure a false doctor’s note in order to remain at home, in order to continue delivering the same quality of
education. Time and time again, teachers have made selfless sacrifices to help their students. Now it’s time for administrators to make the same sacrifices and support the physical and mental health of teachers who feel unsafe in the environment thrust upon them. Though teachers who provide medical documentation to Human Resources are exempt from teaching inperson, they are otherwise required to return. Even teachers who feel comfortable in the building have reasons to stay home. Just as students have eased into their own routines, teachers have worked tirelessly to modify their curriculum, learn new technology, and adjust to new situations and schedules. Going in-person, likely to classrooms that aren’t even theirs, would force these teachers to redo months of hard work, with the education of students
“Time and time again, teachers have made selfless sacrifices to help their students. Now it’s time for administrators to make the same sacrifices.”
STUDENTS STAYING HOME Continued from page 5
socialize irresponsibly off-campus. “I also think outside of school people are not going to be following social distancing,” Schementi said. “It’s essentially like leaving [the building while in school]. You don’t have a closed campus because people have to go home at some point, which is one of my issues and one of the reasons I’m not going back.” Tafolla believes that a student’s transportation efforts to and from school should also be acknowledged. “I didn’t like the inequity issue when it came to the schedule because there are students that live far from the school and don’t have that time to commute from the school to their house or vice versa,” Tafolla said. “It’s just not fair. It accommodates the students that live close to the school, but it’s not really taking into consideration the kids that live far away.” When she first received the information about the hybrid schedule, Tafolla described herself as having a lot of “anger” with the administration. She originally wanted to start a movement to try and gather students who disagreed with the new system. On the first day of second semester, Tafolla stated that the gathering would no longer take place. “I think at the time there was just a lot
suffering in the process. Those students who are excited about the offer of in-person learning still know they’re assuming some risk and placing their trust into a student body of teenagers who have not always proven to be t r u s t w o r t h y. At least they have the choice about whether to assume the burdens, whether that be taking public transportation in a pandemic, getting up earlier for a long commute, or exchanging a familiar routine for a plan they had little to no say in developing. Parker protected a majority of faculty and staff by helping to get them vaccinated, providing some immunity against COVID-19. Still, teachers will not receive the second dose for another month. Though a vaccination is an extra layer of protection for a faculty member who doesn’t have a choice but to work in-person, the
of anger,” Tafolla said. “Of course, today is the first day, but I think if it were to be to the point where I was seriously stressed, I definitely would try to organize something to get people involved. It’s really unfair for them to expect us to have school as if it were an actual school day, just for kids to go back in.” Whether it is student behavior or rising cases, there is always the possibility of the Parker community being sent home to learn completely remote once again. Pettis believes that this new hybrid schedule will “not work out.” “I will place a bet, a good maybe month and a half, I hope,” Pettis said. “After that, I feel like people will get lazy. People will get relaxed and they will just be like ‘okay nothing happened the first time, so let me just break the rules a little bit.’ I feel like there will be too many people following the leader and breaking the rules, that it [school] would just shut down again.” Collins predicts differently. “I think it’s really in the hands of the students. I’ve heard from a lot of my classmates that they’re really going to start cleaning up their act and really try their best to stay safe outside of school, just so they can go to those in-person classes and have that experience,” Collins said. “I’m optimistic that there won’t be a lot
of cases where a whole grade is shut down.” Although the new hybrid schedule has already begun to run its course, students have suggestions in order to improve it for the better of the Parker community. Tafolla believes that the schedule needs to include later starts, earlier ends to the day. She also suggests that the seven-minute passing period is taken away. She believes that five minutes was “enough” and that the sevenminute passing period “extends the day even more.” “I think the whole coming back to school idea should just be scrapped,” Loma said. “Especially because of breaks. A lot of people like to travel outside the city. I think it would be safer for everybody if we were just to stay remote and just go back to our old schedule.” Pettis finds the hybrid schedule taxing. “Having five classes a day is draining, mentally exhausting, stressful, bad for the eyes, and people deal with their own personal lives. So you’re [the administration] stripping away their personal lives,” Pettis said. Collins agrees. “I think the schedule makers need to take into account student feedback. Six classes a day is not good for my eyes, it’s not good for my mental health. I hope they remake it after February break, but we’ll see.”
virus can still be transmitted to household members and loved ones. Many community members felt forced into an unfamiliar schedule, with little to no involvement in the development of that schedule. Why not wait to return until teachers receive the second vaccination dose? The extra 42 days we would need to wait for teachers to reach 95% immunity would put us returning around the same time as the Chicago Laboratory School, set to return March 8. Likewise, the Chicago Teachers Union is calling to delay their return until all their teachers are vaccinated. Why can’t we allow teachers, who have done so much for us despite living through the same stresses of the pandemic, to opt-out if they want to? Are administrators afraid if they offered the choice, not enough teachers would return for an in-person program? While the work of the medical subcommittee and return to campus committee is appreciated, that work is made less meaningful without the support, consent, and enthusiasm of the faculty who will be on the frontlines of their plan every day. To build that support, the school should allow teachers to opt-out of in-person on their terms, without compromising their morals.
TRACK
Continued from page 4 School, where she enjoyed being on the Track and Field team. Markel saw it as an opportunity to become more involved in the Parker community and meet new people. “I thought joining the Cross Country team, and later the Indoor Track team would be a fun way to meet new people and also get some exercise during COVID-19,” Markel said. After receiving Starks’ January 25 email regarding Winter, Spring, and Summer sports, Markel was interested to see how Indoor Track will be going virtual. She isn’t too happy about the news, but is optimistic to see how things will change throughout the season. “The main reason I wanted to join was so I could get physical human interaction, but that won’t be possible anymore,” Markel said. Although Parker has stated that Indoor Track is a high-risk sport and is unable to meet in person, Markel sees some ways the team could practice outside, and believes there are other solutions that could have been explored, rather than fully switching the whole season to virtual. Parker students have been using sports this year as a way to have human interactions with other students in the Parker community, but those students who are interested in Indoor Track will not be having those types of social interactions as they had hoped.
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Continuations
The Parker Weekly, Page 13
SG RECAP Continued from page 7
regulations regarding Zoom meetings and assignments and communicate things that teachers could do to help students as they adapt to remote learning. “I think that was like the meat and potatoes, nuts and bolts, of how are we going to do this,” Barr said. After being passed in Student Government, the resolution was sent to the entire faculty, several of whom responded with thanks for the feedback and suggestions. The Feminine Hygiene Proposal aimed to make quality feminine hygiene products easily accessible to all high school students. Senior Grace Conrad had been trying to get the proposal passed for multiple years, and it finally got the necessary “traction,” according to Barr. The Feminine Hygiene Proposal was presented after Participatory Budgeting had voted to purchase a condom bowl which sparked discussions comparing the two. “There was a moment when it was like competition,” Barr said. “Of course, the reality is we need both.” Wagner suspected that neither the new feminine hygiene system nor the condom bowl would be implemented during hybrid learning due to the coronavirus restrictions. Student Government Treasurer and senior Alex Schapiro said he was hoping the condom bowl would be available during hybrid learning but finds it unlikely. “I think the money is going in valuable places,” editor of “The Student Voice” and sophomore Rania Jones said about Participatory Budgeting, “It’s interesting how some of the money was allocated to kind of more online school things, then some things were spent on in-person things, so it will be interesting to see how that kind of translates when we go back in-person.” Soon after the new hybrid learning schedule was released, freshmen Arjun Kalra and Benjamin Kagan got to work on the Hybrid Schedule Resolution. They made
the resolution hoping to share the opinions and concerns of the student body. Over the course of a week, the resolution was written, edited, presented to the Cabinet, re-edited, discussed in a special Senate session, re-edited, and finally discussed and passed in the Plenary. “There was a coalition of kids who saw the new schedule had real issues with it, and lots of questions and felt like they hadn’t been addressed,” Barr said, “and that resolution demanded, you know, that attention be paid to building that relationship with students.” Wa g n e r emphasized that much of the students’ frustration with the schedule was about insufficient and confusing communication. To t r y a n d remedy the communication problem, S t u d e n t Government not only passed a resolution but also held a Town Hall Senate session with Middle and Upper School Director of Studies Sven Carlsson. They also held a Town Hall in the Plenary with Head of Upper School Justin Brandon and School Nurse Anne Nelson. “I’m not sure how effective it will be in the future,” freshman Cate O’Connor said about the Hybrid Schedule Resolution, “but it was a good way to be productive and try to make change.” Senate head and junior Eli Moog was proud of the Senate’s strong attendance this semester. “I think at our last Senate of the year, we had like 80 people, which is insane, and it’s like twice as much as we’re getting normally,” Moog said, “But also, that’s like more than we get in-person.”
Earlier this semester, the Senate held a meeting to discuss the online gym classes and as a result of that meeting, the program was changed. Moog noted that surveys showed that 90% of students did not like the way gym class functioned. “I think that people actually do want to work out,” Moog said, “They just don’t want to have to do the hour where you like doing fake push ups on the Zoom.” Another significant Senate this semester was the town hall meeting with Carlsson about the new hybrid learning schedule. Moog thought that everyone who attended came away from it “more informed.” E v e r y week Jones lays out “The Student Voice”. She includes information about the upcoming P l e n a r y, a Senate recap based on Student Government Secretary and sophomore Samantha Graines’ minutes, a bulletin, and quotes from students. “Rania is bringing a really high quality ‘Student Voice’ to the Student Body,” Barr said, “It’s so packed with information, each issue.” Jones said she has introduced quotes to “The Student Voice” because of the different needs of an online “Student Voice” and to further spread the voice of the students. The 360 Review Council, led by senior Bodie Florsheim was newly instated this semester. Members of the 360 Review Council have been meeting to discuss how Student Government can be improved, and Florsheim meets with Cabinet members
“It was a good way to try to participate and we were able to talk to people from our grade and the grades above and get their opinions on what was happening.”
to give feedback. There is an upcoming proposal to put the 360 review board into the Constitution. A major challenge this semester has been conducting Student Government and, specifically, Plenary over Zoom. Wagner outlined a variety of issues including breakout room problems and his own wifi crashing. However, the chat feature of Zoom proved to be very helpful, “Using chat is, I think, the greatest revolution to planner that plenaries had in maybe 10 years, I wouldn’t know past four,” Wagner said. Small groups meetings have continued online with one happening in the first semester. “It was a good way to try to participate and we were able to talk to people from our grade and the grades above and get their opinions on what was happening,” O’Connor said. Every week on Friday, Brandon has a meeting with the Senate Heads. Barr believes that those meetings have cultivated a good relationship that has benefitted Student Government. “Because we’re online, Mr. Brandon only really interacts with us and Upper School advisory,” Moog said, “and so we have a platform to share ideas.” He also noted that Brandon had been helpful when it came to exploring resolutions that were presented and how they could be executed. Barr complemented Student Government Leadership this semester, describing them as “utterly competent,” and “amazingly good.” She singled out Wagner and Ori, noting their abilities to listen to many voices and then make decisive action. O’Connor believes that Student Government had been a “very welcoming space” to freshmen. “Kind of more normal than anything else,” O’Connor said, concluding about her first semester in Student Government, comparing it to other aspects of this unconventional year.
MS CLUBS Continued from page 5
they meet more often than in person since they meet after school rather than during a lunch rotation. Nishimoto-Lorenzo believes that it has created a more intimate group. “We get to meet more frequently for Asian Affinity which is really, really good for building stronger relationships so maybe that’s the silver lining,” Nishimoto-Lorenzo said. “I’m glad that we can still meet versus not not getting to meet.” Middle School robotics was not able to attend their FIRST LEGO League due to the coronavirus but continued meeting and creating robots virtually. Rather than creating physical robots, they used Virtual Robotics Toolkit, a platform which simulates robots and tools virtually. “The program was
nice because all the students could build and code their own robot simultaneously,” Lab Technician and faculty sponsor John Navin said. “We did not misplace one LEGO piece this season.” According to Navin, the program had issues where it ran slowly and he thought that both the coaches and students did not like the software. “Working with the program created more problems than working with the LEGO robots in person,” Navin said. He hopes that the team will be able to compete in the FIRST LEGO League next season. La Mesa Hispana is an affinity and ally group where students learn about Hispanic culture by talking about a topic, making crafts, interviewing people from a certain
country, and eating food reflecting the topic they are learning about. Before the pandemic, the club made food, ordered it, or Chef Zac provided food. During the first meeting of La Mesa Hispana this year, they discussed street food and their favorite recipes. “We were like ‘hey, let’s start cooking. We’re in our homes, we have kitchens,’” Eighth Grade Spanish Teacher and Faculty Cosponsor Marcie Frasz said. The faculty sponsors prepare a list of ingredients for each meeting and send out a Google Form with the list. If students sign up, they are able to pick up the ingredients while at school. “Being able to stand up at your kitchen and actually make something and do something and then eat it is very
satisfying,” Frasz said. Frasz believes that holding the club at home is better for cooking. “It’s just so hard because we’re not set up for cooking in our classrooms, like the best thing you can make is pancakes and waffles and that’s about it,” Frasz said. “So I think we’re really appreciating the opportunity to make use of our houses.” Despite many changes due to moving clubs online, clubs have adjusted and created new ways to hold club meetings. “There’s been a discovery of this thing that we hold dear, that we thought that we were grieving, that we couldn’t do in the same way,” White said. “We discovered that you absolutely can have intimacy and have community virtually.”
The Parker Weekly, Page 14
POLITICS
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Continued from page 4
past Presidential Inaugurals. The presence of three past Presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, affirmed the principle of a peaceful transfer of power. Fashion with symbolic meaning was on display, from the purple tones of nobility and bipartisanship worn by Vice President Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, to the festive jewel tones of the many Bidens and the Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, to the life size dove on Lady Gaga’s dress, to the meme worthy knit mittens of Bernie Sanders. The American flag, and the flags of the five branches of the Armed Services, lined the Capitol and the National Mall to welcome the presidency of Joe Biden. Despite the undeniable reality of the transfer of power, there remains a significant number of Americans who are not yet willing to accept Biden’s presidency. For these Americans, who still believe that Trump won reelection by a landslide, Trump did little to provide .any meaningful reality check. Rather than attend the Inauguration, Trump held a sparsely attended send off at Joint Base Andrews and flew off in Air Force One for one last flight as President. Trump’s Vice President, Mike Pence, who was a target of
Trump’s insurrectionist followers, became a bright spot in an otherwise unhinged GOP following the Capitol insurrection. By first upholding the Constitution and certifying the Electoral College results, and then taking the more traditional route of attending the Inauguration, Pence sent a message to all Americans that democracy was still intact. Republican members of Congress who opposed Biden’s certification also attended the Inauguration and spoke of a new bipartisan government. The message of the Inauguration was one of hope for a more unified, inclusive, and truthful America. Biden called for an “end to this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.” When asked if Biden’s words were enough to unify the country, Upper School History teacher Dan Greenstone said, “I think it’s too early to say, but I would guess some Trump voters are pleased by the boring normalcy of Biden. Others of course will be angry, resentful, and convinced that B i d e n ’s n o t t h e a c t u a l w i n n e r. ” Greenstone’s colleague, Upper School History teacher Susan Elliott shared a similar view as Greenstone. Elliot stated that unifying the country is a “tall order and it will take a lot more than a short ceremony. That being said, the pomp and circumstance of it all definitely solidified the transfer of power, and I am sure that a small number of people who did not vote for the Biden-Harris administration were moved by
“Despite the undeniable reality of the transfer of power, there remains a significant number of Americans that are not yet willing to accept Biden’s presidency.”
SHAKESPEARE SLAM Continued from page 1
School English teacher Bonnie Seebold, began meeting weekly to discuss, learn, and prepare. After an overview of “Hamlet,” the team did a “deep dive,” Zeller said, a line-by-line analysis of their section to understand the meaning and motivation of each character. “We did that for a number of weeks,” Zeller said. “And then we got into, okay, how ‘would you say this line?’ or, ‘what is your motivation for this line?’ … that’s always our process, is to really look at the script, break it down, and then add meaning to it.” After months of deep analysis and practice, the team performed and recorded Act One, Scene Three of “Hamlet” via Zoom, after which it was edited in with the other schools to form a cohesive performance. In order to ensure equity and continuity in the production, costumes and props were kept to a minimum, and a color-coding system was created. “Every character has
a color. I play Laertes who is this arrogant brother. And my color was orange,” junior Ava Utigard said. Utigard wore her brother’s orange hat throughout her performance. While the only physical reward she’ll get out of it is a t-shirt, Utigard feels that participating in Shakespeare Slam was a worthwhile, meaningful experience, despite the modified season. “I really like Shakespeare, and like his writing style, and I’ve always been really into it. So for me, it was totally worth it. I just really hope that next year it’s a little more like normal.” Senior and team member Will Ehrlich says that this year he missed the interaction with other schools. “The magic of Shakespeare Slam … is being able to go to all these different schools as a team and go and perform our scenes,” Ehrlich said. “And that was a lot different this year … it was a lot less interactive with the other schools involved.” But despite the numerous challenges and changes working remotely brought, Ehrlich found the experience worthwhile. “I remember Grayson and I, on certain days, just completely forgetting we had rehearsal … and we’d drop whatever we are doing, and just go to rehearsal,” Ehrlich said. “But I feel like it was definitely worthwhile in the sense that I’m very happy I did it.”
it to give them a chance.” Despite it being finals week, Parker students were engaged with the Inauguration festivities. Students’ Instagram stories were filled with reposts of Kamala Harris being sworn in as Vice President with captions such as “the first but not the last.” Other Parker students took to their Snapchat stories to share favorite moments from the Inauguration. These favorite m o m e n t s mostly included President Biden and Vice President Harris being sworn in by Justice Roberts and Justice S o t o m a y o r. Sophomore Jaritzi Lopez said she “felt relieved because it was the end of a nightmare. It was also great to see the different representations during the ceremony. It felt inclusive.” For Greenstone, the poetry of the Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Dorman, was the highlight. For those willing to give Biden a chance, it was an event that offered something for everyone. Elliot shared that she “loved it when Biden hugged his family in a big group hug. I think it was important for so many people who are missing loved ones and grieving to see the first family’s joy but also their pain. It was a message that we can get through hard things and still find moments of happiness.” While Biden’s words of unity and
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inclusion rang throughout the Inauguration festivities, Americans did not even need to wait until January 21 to determine if those words would go beyond hugs and words and materialize into action. Throughout the Transition, Biden and Harris selected the most diverse cabinet in the history of the United States. Elliott shared she believed “Biden’s cabinet sends an exciting message of inclusivity but also of experience and competence.” Greenstone agreed, saying B i d e n ’ s “determined to have a government that represents the diversity and demography of the country. And it’s high time.” Before the sun could even set on January 20, Biden signed 17 Executive Orders focused on matters including climate change, racial equity, economic recovery, and controlling the coronavirus. Although these initial steps make it appear that Biden is about more than just appealing political slogans, Parker students are hoping they see Biden’s campaign promises become a reality. “Hopefully President Biden isn’t like his predecessor President Trump and follows through on his campaign promises,” said sophomore Henry Weil. With the two democrats winning the Senate runoffs in Georgia, the Democrats now have the narrowest majority in the Senate possible, a 50-50 tie that would likely go in favor of the Democrats, as Vice President Harris holds the tie breaking vote. When asked if he believed Biden could achieve the goals he campaigned on, Greenstone said “I think he’ll achieve many of his goals, but with a 50-50 senate passing legislation on climate change or guns will be very difficult.” Elliot agreed with Greenstone. “I think he will have a hard time with many of his domestic reforms but I am confident that he will restore our leadership on the world stage. On the domestic front, I am most concerned about DACA recipients and the families at the border and I am confident that Joe Biden will succeed in helping them. On the international stage, I am certain that Biden will restore the world’s faith in our leadership,” said Elliot. The messages of unity and cooperation between the new President and the Congress will face an almost immediate test with the upcoming Senate Impeachment trial of former President Trump. Biden has attempted to stay out of the conversation regarding when the Senate should convene the trial and whether Trump deserves to be convicted of the high crime of inciting an insurrection against the United States. With the numerous challenges facing the country, it is unlikely that Washington, D.C. will return to the boring business of easy governing anytime soon.
“I think he will have a hard time with many of his domestic reforms but I am confident that he will restore our leadership on the world stage.”
SPIT TESTS Continued from page 1
Assistant Athletic Director Amber Scott said. “It definitely helps us to follow the IHSA’s guidelines more closely and have that level of comfort.” As of February 3, there have been no positive screening results, either for inperson learning or basketball, according to Nelson. “We’re hoping this is an additional layer of mitigation that will allow us to open up even further…” Brandon said. “The saliva screening at this point is working so far. It will allow us a little more flexibility than we had in the fall.” Moving forward, having a successful screening program can allow for more in-person learning or events at Parker, according to Nelson. She and the Medical Subcommittee will be meeting before February break to determine what the program means for the school’s future plans. “As we continue with the second round of the vaccine for faculty and staff, and we become more familiar with saliva screening, we hope that we can continue to open up the Upper School and the school as a whole even more,” Brandon said. “We just have to plan cautiously.”
The Parker Weekly, Page 15
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just us. We took advantage of it right away and set up the appointments.” The names of the other schools were not provided to Nelson. All Parker employees had a chance to be vaccinated, including Quest and Citywide employees who work at the school, coaching staff, and teachers staying at home for hybrid learning. Employees were instructed to bring a valid Parker ID or a letter of identification from Parker Human Resources to check-in at their appointment, along with proof of insurance. Receipts could be submitted to Sarah Butterfield, the Executive Assistant to the Principal, to receive a full reimbursement for the $30 Innovative Care fee for those not covered by eligible insurance. Employees vaccinated through Parker received the two-dose Moderna vaccine, with their second appointment automatically scheduled through Innovative Care. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the first dose provides 50% immunity, and after 14 days, the second will be 94.1% effective. Though Nurse Anne did not yet have an exact count of how many of Parker’s 200 or so employees had made appointments and received their first dose, both she and Schupp believed the majority opted-in to be vaccinated. Schupp described her vaccination experience as easy and fast. “It’s surreal, because it was a thing, and it just seemed so far off on the horizon yet, all of a sudden, it showed up,” Schupp said. “Literally the next day, I went Monday night at 7:15, and I got my shot. It was crazy.” Schupp got in the line designated for vaccination, showed her Parker ID, gave the healthcare worker her arm, and then was done. All those vaccinated were instructed to stay for 15 minutes and not drive home, in case they experienced disorientation or dizziness as a side effect, or suffered an allergic reaction to the shot. She was then handed a card with the date of her second dose, February 22, which she sent to Nelson as a record. Upper School History Teacher Susan Elliott, a member of Parker’s Return to Campus Committee, also received the vaccine though the school’s appointment link. “It was really, really easy,” Elliott said. “They had so many volunteers directing traffic and everything...They were really nice people. I think I was there a total of 10 minutes waiting in line and showing my stuff.” Both Elliott and Schupp experienced similar side effects, with some soreness in the arm. “At the injection site it’s a little tender,” Schupp said. “But my whole arm, I couldn’t sleep. It woke me up several times if I rolled over on it early on.” Schupp anticipates increased side effects with her second dose. The Moderna vaccine, one of the first mRNA vaccines to be mass produced and distributed, mimics the virus’s spike
proteins so your body learns to recognize and fight them, sometimes causing postvaccine symptoms. “It’s not because we have the virus, it’s simply because our body is mounting such a huge immune response,” Schupp said. “The fever is a natural reaction to our body doing what it’s supposed to do.” Elliott, who is teaching in-person, helped to draft the Upper School’s hybrid learning plan. “We had no idea that we’re going to have this access to the vaccine when we were planning,” Elliott said. “I think it would have impacted our planning if we had known, but I feel like with all of the mitigation that they’re doing, even if we hadn’t had the vaccine, we’re very safe.” “The vaccine, along with continuing such proven health practices as mask wearing, hand sanitizing and social distancing, will allow our school community to carry on with our work and our mission through the coming months,” Principal Dan Frank said in an email to faculty on January 24th. Both doses of the vaccine do not eliminate all risk for the coronavirus. Studies have not yet shown whether immunized individuals can still transmit the virus to others. Some Upper School students have called for a delay to in-person learning until the second dose has reached full effectiveness, but currently hybrid learning is fully underway. Schupp expressed faith in the school’s safety protocols. “I think I have much more of a settled feeling and more confidence going in, and I wouldn’t think that I’d have to wait for a second dose.” Schupp noted that though she was glad to be eligible for and protected by the vaccine, it wasn’t all excitement. “I feel so lucky to get it, but am I the right person to be getting it if the doses are so limited? Who else should get this first?” Schupp said. “There’s a range of emotions. It’s a mixed bag. Certainly most of it is excitement and reassurance and so forth, but there’s also a weird piece of guilt.” Elliott agreed. “I feel totally guilty, and my friends were happy for me, but they were just a little bit jealous,” Elliott said. “I definitely have friends who really need the vaccine and they’re super scared to go out, and if they got the vaccine, their life would be so much better.” The Chicago Sun Times reported that a program to offer shots to teachers at Chicago Public Schools will not begin operation until mid-February, while schools on the North Side and in suburban districts already have vaccination programs underway, mentioning Parker by name. “A lot of private schools have connections, for one way or the other, but I can also assume that they’re just on a smaller scale, able to handle it compared to CPS,” Schupp said. “I wish everyone in the city could be vaccinated. I especially wish all the health care and first responders and people in grocery stores and teachers could all be vaccinated,” Nelson said. “But if I’m offered the vaccine, I’m going to take it, and then I’ll work on that later.”
VALENTINE’S DAY WORD SCRAMBLE
AIENTOCFF
VLEO
DCYAN
NVTENIALE
COLTEOCHA
CPIUD
FUBERAYR
SIKS
EFLSORW
EHTAR
Answers: AFFECTION, CANDY, CHOCOLATE, FEBRUARY, FLOWERS, LOVE, VALENTINE, CUPID, KISS, HEART
VACCINES Continued from page 1
The Parker Weekly, Page 16
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out?
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in?
hallways
casually talking to people
FOLLOW THE ARROWS
biggest game of the year
blue out
mahomes v. brady
conspiracy theories about space
fake moon landing
jewish space lasers, apparently
admin phrases
“unprecedented times”
“layers of mitigation”
why the school is so cold
open windows
“an HVAC system that rivals the ER’s”
hot weekly (wo)man
Sophia Rosenkranz
Max Keller