February 2022
WALPOLE HIGH SCHOOL
VOLUME XXv, ISSUE III
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO.8
WALPOLE, MA 02081
WHS
plans
its
first
prom
since
2019
Walpole High’s prom is the first major school function in two years By Kristyn Dentremont Graphics and Layout Editor
The prom is a rite of passage for high school students as it is a celebratory night for the upperclassmen to indulge in their adolescent years, but also to learn a certain etiquette for formal events. After two years of cancellations, the 2022 Walpole High School prom committee is currently beginning preparations for the event to take place at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, May 14. After attending primarily virtual events throughout the past two years, Walpole students and staff are thrilled to see a traditional school event return. However, another prom guest that may potentially attend the dance this spring is COVID-19. Approximately 600 students are invited to this event, so there is a high risk of transmission if students do not follow the expected protocols. It may not be “normal,” but after having gone through a pandemic, the world is learning to experience a “new normal.”
“This year could certainly see some restrictions, such as masking, restricted numbers, etc. or even another cancellation of the event should we need to do so,” Principal Stephen Imbusch said. “However, I am trying to be optimistic about this year’s prom, and hopefully we will be able to move ahead with it.” Proms are often separated between the grades, but the Walpole High School combined prom creates a unique experience that allows different grades to bond at this special evening. For the last two years, however, large gatherings have been discouraged in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Knowing this, there was speculation among students as to whether the prom would include both juniors and seniors. “At this point, we are planning a traditional junior/senior prom until such time as we are told otherwise,” Imbusch said. The prom was officially announced on Jan. 28, and students have immediately begun preparations. Hallway conversations consist of where students should buy
Graphic/ Kristyn Dentremont
After months of speculation, WHS administration confirmed a prom for 2022.
dresses and rent tuxes, how girls should style their hair and who is going to be each other’s date. In fact, students have already hopped on the social media trend of creating dress accounts for students to post a picture of their gown. “I think it’s really fun to have this account because we’ve never done something like it before,” an anonymous WHS student
said. “People can go on the account to make sure they aren’t buying a similar dress, or you can look on the account to get inspiration for yours.” Given today’s circumstances, there may be an incredibly high risk of COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, the school is putting much emphasis on practicing proper protocols right now in order to have a prom this spring.
Walpole schools reduce COVID-19 restrictions
Declining COVID-19 cases allow schools to reconsider safety policies By Katie Gillis Editor-in-Chief
After nearly two years of health protocols and mask mandates, the COVID-19 pandemic seems never-ending. However, in a calm after the most recent spike of cases, Walpole High School has enacted new COVID-19 policies in hopes of restoring a sense of normalcy to school. WHS has been using a Photo/ Boston Herald
Students
receive
one
box
with
announced a new initiative which mainder of Walpole schools. “I think if the community replaces this former Test-and-Stay program. Schools across Massachu- rate is at 3% or less and the majorsetts can opt for the At-Home Test ity of people are vaccinated, then Method, in which the state would I don’t think it’s a bad idea to get provide any participating staff and rid of the masks, or at least make students with one at-home CO- them optional,” Walpole High VID-19 test per week. Unless the School Nurse Rachel Jackson said. After two years of canceltest is positive, they are able to attend school as normal, without the lations and postponements, Walfear of becoming contact traced. pole High students are desperate “Providing this option for for a sense of normalcy at school. at-home testing will allow school However, the loosening of these nurses to spend more time iden- restrictions seems to bode well for tifying symptomatic individuals the future. In addition, the approvand focus their efforts on other al of a junior and senior prom for aspects of COVID-19 manage- the first time since 2019 has proment in our schools,” Commis- vided students with an enhanced sioner of Elementary and Second- sense of optimism as they enter ary Education Jeffrey Riley said. the second half of the school year. “I think that the way we “It’s frankly a game changer.” Additionally, on Feb. 10, the deal with COVID-19 is changing Walpole School Committee voted and people are really starting to rein favor of removing the mask man- alize that this is going to be somedate at Walpole High. With this new thing that is going to be out there,” policy, masks become optional for Jackson said. “We kind of have to all students and staff members, re- learn how to live with it instead of gardless of vaccination status. This trying to get rid of it because I don’t plan went into effect after Feb. think it’s going anywhere, so we 14 for high school students and have to be more realistic about the every other week. staff and Feb. 28 for the re- way we are going to approach it.” WALPOLESTUDENTMEDIANETWORK @WHSSEARCHLIGHT
Test-and-Stay policy since early in the school year. This program allows students who have been contact-traced to get tested for COVID-19 conveniently through the school. If a student were to be named a close contact, they would be called down to the nurses’ office, where they would take a test before returning to class. They must test daily for seven days, however, they can avoid having to self-quarantine. However, on Jan. 18, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker
two
tests