the verdicts Returning to campus
Art by MICHELLE KIM
SUCCESSES, SHORTCOMINGS OF REOPENING
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OLLOWING A SHIFT IN Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 risk level from the purple to red tier on March 3, Palo Alto High School students and teachers began to return to campus on March 9. The county has since moved to the orange tier on March 24 and Paly is now an open campus. The vast improvements in the current hybrid schedule compared to last fall’s reopening plan must extend to better communication and inclusion of teacher’s voices in future district decisions. However, we recognize the difficulty in reimagining a long-standing learning model and thank the Paly staff for their contributions during the pandemic, and suggest that Paly continues to increase opportunities for on-campus student activities. Staff behind the scenes Verde is grateful for the staff at the forefront of in-person learning — including admin and teachers — as well as those behind the scenes whose diligent work made our return safe and possible. We’d like to shine a light on the exceptional food service workers within the Paly staff and outside volunteers who have worked tirelessly to deliver meals directly to student homes, classrooms and the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park since schools closed last March. Additionally, with the reopening of in-person school, the workers are providing free lunches on campus to any student in need. Food Services has served 66,745 breakfasts and 232,175 lunches during the pandemic, according to district Food Service Consultant Alva Spence. Verde would also like to thank the hardworking custodians across all PAUSD schools who have been instrumental in students’ and teachers’ safe return. From disinfecting classrooms at the end of the school day to meticulously arranging desks
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and shields to be spaced six feet apart, custodians have been the backbone of on-campus activities. Finally, we are immensely grateful to the Paly nurse and Wellness Center personnel who ensure that the Paly population is as low-risk as possible for COVID-19 spread, and that students have accessible support throughout the day.
for students and hope that safely expanding opportunities for in-person learning remains a top priority in the district as COVID-19 cases decline.
Increased communication Last fall, the PAUSD Board of Education’s approval of a hybrid learning plan to bring students back into physical classrooms was met with bitter debate. “I do know Building that there was connections pretty heavy The district’s curteacher obrent plan for students to jection to the participate in on-campus board’s plan, learning has been mostly and those obsmooth and successful in jections didn’t beginning to revive Paly’s appear to be school culture. considered in “It’s really the decision,” heartwarming Stone said. to be able to see The current It’s heartwarming ... students back plan in the spring seto see students ... have mester resolved some having fun and enjoying this a community again.” of Verde’s previous beautiful campus concerns of safety and — GREER STONE, history teacher and and being able to flexibility and garstudent activities director have a community nered greater support again,” history teachin the community by er and Student Activities Director Greer addressing opposing opinions. We appreStone said. “That’s been something that’s ciate the ability for students to choose to really been missing and it feels like we’re attend school in person or stay home on a starting to get that back.” daily basis, but criticisms remain. Though students now have opportu“I would have liked to have seen a plan nities for further interaction with teachers that as far as the timing of its implementaand activities such as science labs, classes tion, to be more flexible with the timeline remain fairly similar to at-home learning of vaccines,” Stone said. and remain on Zoom for the majority of Given that teachers are most directly the day. affected by the board’s decision to reopen “It’s still really in this weird stage right schools, as they come into contact with sevnow, where we’re talking to the teacher eral different groups of students throughthrough Zoom, even though they’re right out the day, the district must prioritize there,” junior Benjamin Antonow said. teacher opinions and concerns for their We commend teachers for continuing safety to a greater degree in future board to foster a positive learning environment decisions. v
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