VOLUME 53, ISSUE 1 222 Memorial Drive Berlin, WI 54923
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
The
Red ‘n’ Green
A BERLIN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OPEN FORUM SINCE 1924
COVID-19 brings whole new look on school Lily Sonnentag Business Manager Due to COVID-19, activities in the classroom have a different look to them. Some of these changes are limited amounts of group work and more cautious labs. Everyone is required to wear masks as well as maintain social distancing. These are just some of the protocols put throughout the entire school. Some classes, depending on the criteria, are affected more than others. “In my Foods for Living class we are not able to share food. When students are eating their food they have to space out between the lab and my classroom,” FACE teacher Callie Collins said. “When they are done using any other supplies, like scissors or markers, they are put in a ‘to be sanitized bin.’” Preparing for a new school year is a lot of work, but the unexpected of what is to come has made this job a little more difficult. “There has been lots of prep work. After school I work on my classes just to make sure I have everything done,” Collins said. “We have to make two copies of everything, one copy to put on Canvas and a physical copy for each student.” For some, coming back to school has not been as hard as it is for others. Being around some of their favorite people can do the trick. “I would say the easiest thing would be seeing my friends again. I hung out with them all summer so it felt as if nothing had changed,” senior Gretchen Petraszak said. Staying in school face-to-face
Reporter
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way almost all schools operate, and Berlin is no different. Berlin has implemented a number of changes to make the school more safe for inperson classes. “One of the new procedures has been the addition of disinfectant into the classrooms during the day,” Director of Building & Grounds Josh Youngbauer said. “Also, more hand sanitizing stations throughout all buildings.” Berlin has managed to stay inperson and relatively outbreak free for September thanks, in part, to the new cleaning measures. “These cleaning measures have worked well so far and I be-
Helena Buttke
Reporter
Student Council plans for Homecoming
As of Sept. 25, it is still undecided if the traditional pep assembly and hall decorating will happen. If the parade and assembly were to happen, each participant would have to socially distant themselves from others. Throughout September, Principal Bednarek had meetings with the Student Council to decide on how to make Homecoming fun and safe for everyone. Student Council leadership and school administration will meet tomorrow to discuss final details.
District-Wide Dress Up Days
Photo: L. Sonnentag FACE teacher Callie Collins' Foods for Living class prepares homemade pancakes and syrup while staying equally distanced and listening to the safety protocols. "I have not had any issues with their masks or their behaviors. I think the students have come to understand that if they do not follow these precautions they will not be able to stay in school, so they are taking it seriously. may be tricky. A way to make sure classes stay in-person is to follow the protocols. “I would like to see the students be more respectful of that social distancing because I see a lot of closing in on each other’s space. I think that people need to be more aware of that physical distancing,” school nurse Terri Mauel said. “Otherwise, I feel everybody is trying their best.” Not being able to do a lot of activities either out of school or in school, such as having a student section or doing group projects, has allowed people to appreciate
those things more. “I appreciate how close our school was whether it was different sporting events and the student section or just different classes,” Petraszak said. The unknown has brought both good and bad things to every circumstance. Having to do the majority of learning online has brought out some new things in the classroom. “I have created more online games for the students to learn and study from. They are able to choose whether they want to take notes in their notebook
or on their chromebook,” Collins said. “I also post my assignments online rather than handing out a bunch of paper.” When COVID-19 came about it was something everyone had to adjust to. New things come about all the time; it is just a matter of how long people will take to get used to it. “For most of them, I think the biggest issue is finding a mask that works well for them. Mask breaks seem to help some,” Mauel said. “There is a learning curve that is still going on that people just need to get used to."
Pandemic poses challenges to school Deacon Eberhardy
Newsbriefs
lieve have been effective in keeping our schools clean and safe for staff and students,” Youngbauer said. The new safety measures have seen a mixed response from students. “I think that it should be more mask focused since it is more of a respiratory disease, and less focused on wiping down tables. It is still important, but I think that doesn’t really mean anything when people are sitting a foot away from each other. Maybe they should have more classes outside,” senior Owen Brey said. Berlin has managed to stay open even when other schools nearby have had to shut down. “I think we’re taking it seriously enough because I know other schools are doing similar
stuff and they’re out already so I guess we’re doing something right if we’re still here,” senior Sadie Goettl said. The school has had a number of challenges when it comes to COVID safety, not the least of which is making sure everyone wears masks in school. “I think they’ve done well enforcing the masks. I know not everyone listens to teachers when they say pull up their mask, but I think if we keep enforcing it we’ll stay in school,” Goettl said. Although staying in person for school is a goal, safety is the number one priority. “Students should remember to take care of themselves, washing hands, wearing masks and also picking up after themselves,” Youngbauer said.
Photo: D. Eberhardy
Senior Owen Brey cleans desk and keyboard before starting class. "I think it is good to be back at school, and there have been no outbreaks yet. I think they are doing an okay job," Brey said.
Monday: Quarantine Day Tuesday: Breast Cancer Awareness Day Wednesday: Travel the World Thursday: Throwback Thursday Friday: Spirit Day
LINC Crew hosts Movie Night
LINC crew will hold their first annual movie night in October. They plan on having the outdoor movie on the grass between the high school and middle school parking lots. “We are unable to have our normal first week dance because of COVID-19 so we are hoping we can get everyone together to celebrate being back at school another way,” LINC Crew adviser Tara Chesebro said. The movie night will be $2-3 for each person and packages snacks will be sold as well. Freshmen get a discount, since it is a LINC Crew event, according to Chesebro. “This is all still being reviewed to make sure we can accomodate the technology that is needed and the precautionary parts due to COVID-19. Hopefully, we will know soon and can get a nice fall night,” Chesebro said.
In this
Issue
- Behind the mask pg. 4-5 - Football team tribute pg. 8