thematadorsghs.us WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021
OPINIONS 5
THE MATADOR
Thorough reopening ensures safe return
Thic’ken’ed memories
BY ANDREW LAM OPINIONS EDITOR
T
hroughout distance learning, the district has constantly looked toward plans for returning to campus. Plans to reopen have been communicated constantly and influenced by input from families. The district has done a thorough job in planning for reopening because it has listened to feedback in addition to keeping the community updated. The district has remained steadfast in communicating with families throughout the entire reopening process, utilizing district wide emails. Direct and regular communication ensures that everyone is caught up with the taken approach on reopening. Staying transparent by keeping everyone updated is of utmost importance because it proves to parents that their child’s return to school will be as safe as possible and the district has its students’ education as a top priority. But the district is not just blindly making decisions without input from families. The district has recently proven that they are open to suggestions from families by sending out a survey, which concluded on March 4, and asked parents about their thoughts on reopening. On top of this, the district even offered families flexibility by allowing them to decide between remaining in distance learning or transitioning back into inperson instruction when the time comes. By including families in the decision-making process, they can be certain that their needs are reflected in the outcome. Ensuring that the community’s inclusion helps all parties negotiate for both a safe and swift return to normalcy. Admittedly, the district has retracted previous plans such as a possible reopening
Painted past KEN YU LIFE AND ART EDITOR
T ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW LAM
in January. Although it can be frustrating that there is no determined reopening date, it is hard to have a set date. One of the factors that the district’s reopening decision depends on is the severity of the pandemic in Los Angeles County. Since the number of COVID-19 cases fluctuates daily and is out of the district’s control, they are unable to have full confidence in any date they publicize. In the end, it is much safer to give unfulfilled reopening dates than hastily
admitting students back into classrooms. The district’s method for reopening has been one of careful consideration and refined by families’ feedback. However, it has been discouraging that no set reopening date has been announced. Although the uncertainty of future case numbers has prevented the district from adhering to that date, when a date is released, everyone can rest easy knowing that the decision was made with care.
College, Career Center efficiently advises amid pandemic Through a series of organized efforts, the CCC continues assisting students. KELLY MA NEWS EDITOR
A
mong the many school groups that were forced to adapt to an online environment, the College and Career Center (CCC) stands out as one of the most welladjusted. The CCC advisers are successful in providing as much assistance to students as they did during a conventional school year. The CCC regularly distributes information that assists students with achieving their high school and future goals. Many opportunities that were once in person are now virtual. By sharing how students can participate in such events, the CCC prevents students from being uninformed. Without their guidance, many students would miss out on opportunities for honing essential career and education skills. The CCC also has the role of notifying students about saving money. By consistently telling students about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, as well as scholarship and internship opportunities, the advisers not only save students up to thousands of dollars, but they also emphasize the importance of taking initiative with their education. Through a variety of platforms, the CCC
counselors are ensuring that they maintain constant communication with students. Those who need more details than provided on the CCC’s Instagram, Remind, Google Classroom, and website can schedule appointments with counselors through Zoom. While ensuring that students are on the right track to success, the counselors also check up on students’ emotional well-being. Due to their continuous efforts to reach out, students who feel overwhelmed are provided the academic and emotional support they need. While the CCC does a thorough job of communicating with students about opportunities, few actually get involved. When event dates and times conflict with students’ schedules, there is a lack of participation, putting into question the effectiveness of the CCC’s efforts. That being said, it is up to students to take advantage of the resources given to them. Dates are often provided beforehand so that students can determine what works for their schedule. Students who are looking for particular events or information can directly contact the advisers for help as well. The purpose of the CCC is to present students with opportunities and information needed to advance in college and the workforce. Even in an unorthodox environment, the advisers have gone above and beyond to complete this task.
THE MATADOR Editors-in-Chief, Print Editor-in-Chief, Digital News Editors Opinions Editors Focus Editors Life and Art Editor Sports Editor Features Editors Copy Editors Business Manager Social Media Managers Photoshop Editors Reporters
Adviser
Wally Lan Qilin Li Amanda Lerma Leane Che Kelly Ma Andrew Lam Aaron Lu Chelsea Lam Chelsea Nguyen Ken Yu Eric Mai Mytam Le Tiffany Nguygen Justin Fang Lynda Lam Tammy Vuong Lily Cam Tammy Vuong Leane Che Lynda Lam Laura Cai Adwik Chaturvedi Nan Jiang Hanna Jalawan
The Matador is published monthly online and bi-monthly on PDFs by the journalism class of San Gabriel High School. The Matador is a public forum for student expression and highly encourages responses in reaction to issues discussed in the paper. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, not the faculty or administration. Articles without bylines are the opinion of the entire staff. Submit comments as a letter to the editor, signed (anonymity is guaranteed if requested) to Ms. Jalawan’s email.
he sky is ablaze. It’s running rampant with a palette of vivid colors and, to me, that sight will never leave me. The sea shines and bleeds those same colors. Rippling. Turning. All of the miniscule details were captured on a screen, marked with a faint reflection of my satisfied smile. I always had a persistent habit of taking scenic photos. I loved sights like the scene of narrow boats rowing through the sparsely lit rivers of Wu Zhen during a family trip to China. Despite this habit, I wish I took more photos. Specifically, photos with friends. I felt uncomfortable when taking photos with friends— rather, I was uncomfortable with asking to take photos with them. It was easy to go along when others presented the idea, but during the times no one did, I didn’t take that initial step. Anxiety gripped at me when I entertained the idea, and I was painfully too self-conscious of making any request, afraid of any inexistent backlash that might have occurred from it. The pandemic made the regret worse. Reminiscing became a pastime with the newfound free time, and nostalgia poked at me whenever I thought back to those I had known and drifted away from over the years. Sometimes, my memory of the time spent with them becomes blurry, and I feel afraid that I’ve forgotten. How much have I already forgotten? It was during this time that I came across a few old photos I had taken back in middle school during a field trip. I remember. The sky was ablaze. It was a breathtaking sight to behold that day when I photographed that sunset on my outdated phone. Looking back, it was a pity that I didn’t own any better device for photography. In the background of the picture, there were shadowed silhouettes of my classmates basking in that same sunset. I wasn’t there with them in the picture, laughing alongside them on the salt-soaked sand. That didn’t matter because I was already happy—happy to have been able to engrave a tender scene beside a setting sun. It’s enough for me to treasure the few photos I have without regret.