The Show Must go On Modesto High continues to adjust to the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Schools Reopening: Our Path Forward After almost an entire semester of distance learning, many students, teachers, and parents are eager for schools to reopen for in-person learning. In fact, according to a district survey, 66.75% of grade 7-12 parents said they would send their student back to school if MCS is able to safely transition back to in-person learning. Howev- er, with new cases of the Coronavirus surging, the question remains of how the district will be able to reopen schools while maintaining public health and safety. The school district has been meticulously work- ing on a plan to fulfill students’ and parents’ desires to reopen schools, while keeping safety at the forefront of their decision-making pro- cess. At the board meeting on November ninth, Modesto City Schools approved the “7-12 Safe Schools Reopening Plan.” According to the plan, students will be divided into two cohorts, groups A and B, which will attend in-person classes on different days. The district will also focus on enforcing mask-wearing and sanitizing practices during school hours. Carson Carranza, the Student Representative to the Board, supported the decision, stating that, “The longer we stay in distance learning, the more students are going to fall behind… these numbers keep slipping.” He elaborated by bring- ing attention to the fact that failing grades have nearly doubled during distance learning. Currently, grades TK-6 have already returned to in-person learning, which has proved to be suc- cessful thus far. Additionally, if cases return to a lower level in Stanislaus County, junior high stu- dents are expected to return to school on January 19th, while high school students are expected to return two weeks later. However, school reopening is contingent on the tier of the COVID case measurement which Stanislaus County is on, and with COVID cases surging in recent weeks, the future of school re- opening is still uncertain. According to the dis- trict’s website as of November 20th, “ in order for 7-12 students to return, Stanislaus County must be in the Red Tier of the State’s COVID monitor- ing dashboard, and have been in the Red Tier for at least two weeks prior to the reopening date.” Although we can’t control this pandemic by Stanislaus County still has work to do in order to ourselves, the best thing that we as students can reach and maintain this level of cases. “I have a do is simply to continue practicing social dis- hard time pushing it to another tier level (the or- tancing and mask-wearing in everyday life to ange) when it’s going to be difficult for us to reach help curb the spread of COVID-19. By imple- that red level and be able to open,” explained menting these practices into our daily lives, we Trustee Chad Brown, “I want to put our trust in will be able to help curb the spread of the pan- students and really engage them in the responsi- demic, and be able to return to school. As stated bility part of this equation.” best by Trustee Adolfo Lopez, “We need to put our differences aside and make sure that we’re putting our masks on; we’re taking our precau- tions for the ability to come back.” By Rana Banankhah Learning Hubs: Offering Students a Chance to Reconnect By Alejandra Hernandez During this pandemic, while many stu- dents are stuck at home with distance learning, a small group of students have been able to return to campus in learn- ing pods. Learning pods are an oppor- tunity that specifically supports students with Significant internet issues, students requiring particular learning environ- ments, and others. Many of these stu- dents are faced with specific struggles with distance learning, so this opportu- In addition, student-athletes have re- nity to return back to campus has prov- turned to attend study hall in the Ath- en to be invaluable. letic Academic Advising Program, which is required of student athletes “The special education students coming who are currently participating in to campus are having technical diffi- sports. According to Mr. Miller, the culties and are struggling to pass their MoHi Head Football Coach, “We be- classes,” said Ms. Guy a Resource teach- lieve that extracurricular activities, like er on campus. The learning cohorts Football, can be a great motivator for allow these students to return to a more young people to take an active role in typical type of educational instruction. their education.” By attaching study hall Students follow their normal schedules to the joy of playing sports, the study and attend classes, just as students are hall program has been able to help stu- doing from home. “Special education dents “chase excellence in the classroom learning pods can have up to fourteen during these trying times,” which is students per day, but the average num- something the program is particularly ber of students per day is nine,” Ms. Guy proud of. explained, “Seventy-five resource stu- dents have been able to come to campus Students are required to bring a charged at least once.” device, wear masks, and practice safe social distancing. Currently, the pro- All in all, the in-person learning hubs gram only allows for a 2:1 student to have proven to be extremely valuable to table ratio, which helps to distance stu- the students served thus far. Students dents from each other and prevent the have been able to gain access to the ed- spread of COVID-19. “Ultimately the ucational environment which they are main goal is to provide our students most effective working in, while stu- with an opportunity to work in a safe dent athletes have been able to be more environment; to improve or maintain engaged in school due to the Athletic their grades during this difficult time,” Academic Advising Program. These Mr. Miller elaborated. programs not only provide assistance to many MoHi students, but also provide Students in this program have also been us all with hope for a future in which able to take advantage of some of the we can all return to school. services provided by the AVID tutoring center, and work with the present staff for support. According to Ms. Guy, “ Resource teachers and paraprofes- sionals provide academic tutoring and technical support for their students.” Thankfully, MoHi staff has always, and will always, strive to support our stu- dent population, especially during these difficult times. Coronavirus Is No Showstopper MHS Theatre Department adjusts to challenging times The Coronavirus pandemic has learning to adapt and our theatre also don’t overwhelm or limit the changed the way every teacher department is no exception.” students (so we all have learned and student approaches teaching Like all teachers right now, patience). “ and learning. Every department, McHale explained how she is trying McHale explained that she program, and facet of school have to overcome the challenges of started the year with her normal been impacted. The theater pro- distance learning. She said, “I try routine, which turned out to help gram at Modesto High School is every day to hear my students, to students in preparation for their no exception. Mr. Murry and Ms. let them know we are not without a online production of “Spoon River McHale recently got creative with life preserver; we just need to reach Anthology.” She explained, “I technology to give theater students out and grab it. I am trying to make was able to start the year with my an opportunity to participate in an assignments that teach skills, but normal routine, which is concen- online production titled “Spoon River Anthology.” This production utilized a combination of actor pre- sentations in front of a green screen filmed by the PAA film/photogra- phy class. When asked about the chal- lenges of remote learning classes, and virtual rehearsals for an online production, McHale responded, “It has been very challenging to say the least. Theatre is all about ‘in per- son’ and ‘hands-on,’ but we are all trating and strengthening skills that allow us to communicate our creative ideas. For example, I teach perspective drawing. The goal is to give students skills that allow them to take the picture from their brain and set it down on paper to share. Our designers have to be able to communicate with directors, tech- nical crew, and the performers, so a drawing gives a clear idea of what the student wants to see happen.” The theatre department wrapped up the online production of “Spoon River Anthology” with great success, paying homage to the saying “The show must go on.” The show did go on for Modesto High theatre students, just like it has for all of Modesto High’s students and staff members during this tough time. Ms. McHale summed it up best, “ Theatre has survived plagues, persecution, wars, and endless more struggles because our spirit needs entertainment, creativ- ity, and growth. Quitting isn’t an option. We are remarkable people and this too shall pass. SPORTS CONDITIONING By Noheli Ron At the point of this publication, Modesto City Schools has suspended all in-person conditioning until further notice. This decision was made to help slow the spread of COVID 19 in the community. Football The Football coaches were successful in coaching around the obstacles and making our panthers work hard. “The biggest challenge has been the lack of equipment; however, we honestly feel like we’ve been able to foster some great habits by working without a ball,” said Coach Miller.