The County Chronicle

The online newspaper of Loudoun County High School

Jan
15

By

Hybrid Guide: how classes will continue as students switch to hybrid learning

Category: News Tags: ,

Alexis Shugars | Staff Writer
Liberty Harrison | Staff Writer

Classroom desks are placed six feet apart as Loudoun County Public Schools prepare for hybrid learning. Furniture has been moved out of the classrooms to make extra space for social distancing.

As students return to the building for in person instruction, new guidelines have been put in place to ensure proper social distancing can be maintained within the school.

According to Wayde Byard, Public Information Officer, each school will feature the same setup, with Loudoun County Public Schools staff directed to design classroom layouts for the second semester with the center of each desk spaced at least six feet apart from the center of adjacent desks.

One measure taken to allow for the regulation of six to eight feet of separation between students and staff, is the removal of excess furniture from classrooms in use. During this time when our custodial staff has increased responsibility for cleaning our school, this measure has the added benefit of reducing the furniture our custodial teams have to clean.

Loudoun County High School has a particular need for this because of its unique layout, due to it being Loudoun County’s oldest school, opening in 1954.

Desks and chairs are stacked in the hallway in preparation to stage classrooms to meet the appropriate distancing regulations for hybrid learning.

“Our building is beautiful,” said Principal Michelle Luttrell . “I love our school, and it has a lot of character, but because it’s a school that’s been renovated over time we have additions with different layouts and floor plans.”

According to Luttrell, our classrooms are not uniform in size, so some classrooms are able to support nine students with social distancing protocols, while others can support 21.

“So any given block, we have such a variance in the number of kids who are in each classroom receiving instruction because our rooms are completely different sizes,” Luttrell wrote.

To ensure social distancing in hallways, new precautions have also been put in place.

According to Byard, markers have been placed in hallways and common areas indicating the space necessary to maintain physical distancing. Staggered dismissals have also been implemented to reduce traffic in the hallways.

As of November 23, 831 Loudoun County High School students signed up for hybrid learning as opposed to the normal 1,505 students.

Hybrid students will attend school one A day per week and one B day per week. They will spend the remaining A and B days learning at home, allowing for more manageable social distancing inside of the classroom

Speaking on the reduced numbers, Luttrell said, “In terms of space, that’s going to open up a lot of space and help us manage the movement of 415 students. So even though the hallways are oddly shaped and not the same width from one part of the building to the next, I think that with the adults being out and about, and safety and security and admin being out and giving students reminders about maintaining safe distancing, I think our students want to do the right thing.”

According to Luttrell, Loudoun County Public Schools have also been provided with new filtration systems by the county, to filter the air as mitigation for COVID-19.

One effect of the implementation of new guidelines is new demands on the budgets of Loudoun County Public Schools.

Anticipating this need, the Virginia state government allocated funding specifically for COVID-19 pandemic-related school costs. According to Byard, on October 8, 2020, the Governor awarded Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds under the CARES Act to school divisions. Loudoun County Public Schools was awarded $14,864,308 as a result.

Specific COVID-19 related budget requirements include things like the filtration systems as well as the enhanced cleaning protocols provided to custodians. These cleaning protocols detail changes to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“The primary changes involve cleaning all of the common area high touch surfaces within the school on a two-hour schedule during the school day and a detailed cleaning of all the classroom high touch surfaces each evening,” wrote Byard.

Byard stated that teachers had no requirement to perform additional classroom cleaning, but were offered the opportunity to volunteer for additional training which would enable them to use cleaning chemicals provided for spot cleaning classrooms throughout the day, as needed and when students were absent from the area.

“We are working very hard to keep the schools clean while also minimizing the chemical exposure to our students and staff in the schools,” Byard wrote. ”LCPS is continuing to use the same hospital grade cleaning chemicals that we have been using for the past six years since we know that they are safe and effective in fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.”

According to Byard, all students will be required to wear face masks during the school day, except for when eating. “Physically distanced individual desks have been placed in some cafeterias, while others have tables with marked seating to keep students physically distanced.”

The excess furniture removed from the classrooms includes desks, bookshelves, and cabinets. This furniture is being stored in either unused school classrooms or in leased shipping containers stationed on the school property. This action, specifically the leasing of storage containers, creates another budget mandate. As stated by Byard, the funding to pay for the storage containers is coming from the Loudoun County Public Schools operating budget as well as the federal CARES Act funding provided to help cover these sorts of additional expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In past years, there has been a very high demand for more bus drivers. With social distancing being taken into account, this demand is being raised.

“The bus drivers are likely going to have to make two bus runs. It’s very possible that in one neighborhood they’re going to have to come through twice because they have to socially distance students on buses,” said Luttrell. As a result, when students arrive at school and pickup time will be affected.

Each school will be provided with a Care Room, which is separate from the Health Office. “The Care Room will be used only for students and staff exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19,” Byard wrote. “The Care Room will be staffed by a trained, full-time attendant. Parents/guardians will be requested to come to school to pick up their student if they are taken to the Care Room.”

Although students who chose hybrid learning will still be using Google Meet to attend classes with students at home, Luttrell believes that there are many benefits to in person learning. One of these benefits is the connection between students and teachers that simply can’t be obtained through a computer screen. “I think there’s some level of grounding and just peace of mind that it’s going to bring to students who are coming into the school,” Luttrell said.

Unlike students, teachers don’t have the same options as students. “There is no option for teachers to work virtually unless they are quarantined or have a medical condition that precludes them from coming into the building,” wrote Byard. “Teachers who are quarantined or who have a medical accommodation may deliver concurrent instruction from a remote location. When this happens, LCPS will provide a classroom proctor who will monitor behavior, assist with technology, and assist with instruction.”

Although some still express their concerns about students returning to in person learning, school board members continue to express their thoughts that it will all end up working out. “I think we’re going to be okay, moving 415 students through this school every day,” said. Luttrell.

At the time of publication, Loudoun County Public Schools remain in 100% distance learning, as the metrics exceeded the positivity rate of 10% within Loudoun County.

Jan
15

By

School Nurse, District Prepare for Hybrid Learning

Category: News Tags: ,

Alexis Shugars, Staff Writer

The new care room at Loudon County High School is prepared for when students resume with hybrid learning. The room’s purpose, to assess students who have reported symptoms of COVID-19.

When and how students return to school is currently a large and controversial topic. Often it’s heard what the parents and students’ thoughts are on this topic, but how would it feel being the school nurse?

Shannon Nerantzis, nurse at Loudoun County High School, is making sure to follow all mitigation policies to accommodate for the small number of students who have been participating in hybrid learning since October 13, and students coming into the building for activities.

A new “Care Room” at LCHS was made with the purpose of assessing students who reported having possible symptoms of COVID-19. There are two care rooms located in the building, the primary one being next to the Health Office.

“I am in the Health office during the day until a student with symptoms is brought to the care room,” wrote Nerantzis. “There is a Care Room Monitor (CRM) who is an agency employee who will check students who are brought into the Care Room.” Loudoun County High School is yet to have a Care Room Monitor because so few students have been in the building. The school will have one once in person classes continue.

To ensure social distancing, only three students and the Care Room Monitor will be able to be in the room at the same time.

In the case of a student contracting COVID-19, contact tracing must be done in order to see who would be the student’s close contacts. According to Nerantzis, a close contact is anyone who is less than six feet away from said student for longer than fifteen minutes, in a twenty-four hour period from them contracting COVID-19. ”All close contacts must self-quarantine for 14 days even if they have a negative COVID test,” Nerantzis wrote. “Staff members who contract COVID-19 report this to the Principal who investigates any close contacts that the staff member may have had at school.”

Parents will receive a mandatory daily symptom survey for their children. The parent can also indicate that the survey be sent to the student via text if they prefer. If this survey isn’t completed, the student will be prohibited from entering the building.

Up to now, temperature checks have been done on every student and visitor that enter, as the numbers have been manageable. Once hybrid learning goes into effect, temperature checks will only be conducted on every fifth student as they enter the building.

Many things will be impacted by more students returning, and anticipation to change is needed. “I think we will need to remain flexible as things change and as we learn more about the virus,” wrote Nerantzis.

Neranzis says that she only has one main worry when it comes to students transitioning to in-person instruction. “My concern is just having students physically distanced throughout the day,” she said. ”We are wired to want to be closer to someone when in conversation.”

Overall however, Neranzis is not worried about students making this transition. “Schools are not superspreaders,” she wrote. “At the high school level, students spread COVID-19 more than elementary students, but nowhere to the extent of spread in the community.”

Jan
15

By

“We are overcoming it”: How art classes continue during distance learning

Category: Arts and Entertainment Tags: ,

Alexis Shugars, Staff Writer

Art teachers Kyla Jenkins and Stephanie Woshner fill 708 paint cups to distribute to students amidst distance learning.

As classes continue through Google Meet, teachers have had to find new ways to educate their students. For many of these teachers, online classes have been manageable, as there’s not much of a need to see each other in person to complete assignments. Some teachers, however, have had to find ways of bringing a hands-on course into a digital world.

Art teacher Kyla Jenkins has been trying to figure out different ways for her students to continue their usual art course. One way she’s overcoming these challenges is distributing art supplies to students’ homes.

“We gave out drawing supply kits first semester, and painting kits this semester. We had to do this, because, due to COVID restrictions, ‘class sets’ of things are not allowed,” Jenkins wrote. “We normally have class sets of supplies that are used each block. This was not an option this year. Also, since many students don’t have any art supplies at home at all, we had to assemble the kits for everyone to be successful, whether they were hybrid or distance learning.”

All students had an opportunity to pick up the painting kits on January 11, otherwise students are responsible for picking them up at the main office on their own time. Although supplies are provided, students are encouraged to use their own if they have them.

Jenkins and art teacher Stephanie Woshner worked from nine in the morning to three in the afternoon filling cups of paint to supply to their 177 students. Each art student was given one cup of each color (red, blue, yellow, and white).

There are still many projects that students cannot participate in currently, including sculpture, clay, printmaking, and many more. “COVID is making teaching art challenging for sure but we are overcoming it,” Jenkins wrote.

Jan
15

By

Students stay fit while staying home

Category: Sports Tags: ,

Maggie Sheridan | Editor in Chief

Junior Wilson Kern continues to stay fit and lift in his at-home gym during weight training. He strives to be better and work hard, even though he is unable to do so with his classmates in person.

During the school year, students can count on gym class as a way to stay physically fit and enjoy time with friends. However, with the pandemic forcing students to take physical education online, they are unable to participate how they normally would. So the question everyone is wondering is, how are students staying active?

Even the teachers have had to adjust to the new way of teaching. “PE is completely different to be honest,” PE and Driver’s Ed teacher Tony Rayburn said. “In my advanced PE gym classes, we just do individual workouts because they can’t do team sports. For weightlifting students, we do body weight workouts.”

A major challenge for Rayburn has been that most students have their cameras off during class. “We’ll do a workout and basically I’m teaching to twenty or thirty dots,” Rayburn said. “I can’t tell if they did the workout or not, but they have to fill out information that tells me what they’re doing.”

Some students are also struggling with the transition this semester, such as those participating in weight lifting. “We only do non-weight-bearing exercises because not everyone has weights at home. This is very different online because if we were in school, we would be able to use weights,” junior Wilson Kern said.

Teachers have also come up with different assignments to ensure students are still working hard. “We do wellness assignments and students will reflect on workouts they’ve completed,” Rayburn said. “As long as they’re filling out their bonus assessments and filling out what they have to, that’s all I can do.”

Although most students are in agreement that they prefer in-person gym, some enjoy the change. “I like online gym better because I can choose what to do for workouts that I know I need,” sophomore Anna Takemoto said. “My workouts will vary and I enjoy going for runs, to the gym, or lacrosse practice.”

Rayburn has his students doing a variety of different workouts in class. “I do some from YouTube and we rotate back to my body weight workout sometimes, which helps increase strength and muscular endurance. In order to make gains, you have to track your progress and increase your workload,” Rayburn said.

Weight lifting is a bit more challenging to do online than regular PE is due to the lack of resources. “I don’t really think I am benefitting from this class at home because I’m just doing bodyweight exercises and they aren’t really helping me gain muscle mass,” Kern said. “I would like to take weight lifting in person, but I’m not sure how it’s going to work with some students online and I don’t think we will be able to use the weights in the weight room, so I am just sticking to online.”

The only class that hasn’t changed dramatically for these students is Driver’s Ed. “The instruction is very much the same as it was in-person,” Rayburn said. “It is mostly just PowerPoints and quizzes. We try not to add too much to student’s workloads, since they already have so much asynchronous work.”

Taketomo thinks it is extremely important to continue to work out for class, even though she has her camera off along with a majority of her class. “I believe I am benefiting from these workouts because I started doing them during quarantine, and have continued to do them since,” Takemoto said.

“Studies show that an active mind is a healthier mind and a healthier person physically as well as mentally,” Rayburn said, “I hope we will get more kids to move and be active, even though it is more difficult.”

Jan
12

By

Snowfall and Smiles: students and staff share their favorite holiday traditions

Category: Arts and Entertainment Tags: , ,

Olivia DeWan | staff writer

The holiday season is just around the corner, but because of COVID-19 people are looking forward to the holidays even more. The holidays are great for students to take a break from the stress and hard work that school requires.

“I’m looking forward to not sitting at a computer for six hours,” junior Kayla Spratt said.

The break also allows students to spend more time with their loved ones.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and getting more sleep,” sophomore Maggie Hronik said.  

3. Maggie Hronik bakes lots of Christmas cookies. A few years ago, she was helping her mom make whisky cakes. Photo courtesy of Maggie Hronik.

Another thing the holidays are great for is holiday traditions. “Every year on Thanksgiving my grandparents give us a nutcracker,” said junior Lily Takemoto. “We have over twenty nutcrackers that we set up each year.”

Of course, with COVID Takemoto’s tradition changed during this year’s holiday. “This year, because we couldn’t see any family, my grandparents just mailed us a nutcracker,” she said.

On a different set of traditions, sophomore Elena Wigglesworth celebrates the holidays in a different way. “I make gingerbread houses, bake cookies and other desserts, decorate for Christmas, and spend time with my friends and family.”

2. Elena Wigglesworth does lots of baking around the holidays. Last year she made a bûche de Noel for Christmas Eve dessert. Photo courtesy by Elena Wigglesworth.

Then again, COVID interrupted her tradition. “I won’t get to see my extended family this year,” she said. “Though I should be able to do most of my other traditions.”

Similarly to Wigglesworth’s traditions, Hronik also does baking. “Every year we make cookies,” she said. “Because of COVID we have more time to make them.”

Instead of impacting her tradition in a negative way, COVID allowed her to spend more time with her favorite holiday tradition.

“My parents are with us on every Christmas Eve,” biology teacher Crystal Wolfgang said of her usual holiday plans. “We go to church and every Christmas morning we have cinnamon rolls and open presents.”

1. Crystal Wolfgang and her family watched “Elf” last Christmas while her parents visited. Photo courtesy by Crystal Wolfgang.

Unlike Hronik, COVID is going to make a significant change to Wolfgang’s holiday.

“My parents won’t be there this year because of an issue with moving and needing to be free of COVID,” she said. “It will be the first time of my son’s twenty one years that he won’t have his grandparents around on Christmas morning to be with him.”

If students were at school, they would have participated in a number of activities surrounding the holidays, most of which have been put on hold during the pandemic.

“My favorite thing I did at school before winter break was working with the UNICEF Club,” said sophomore Bella Whelchel. “I felt like I was helping people.”

Usually, the week leading to winter break is filled with class parties and movies.

In Bryan Boeing’s Spanish class, students would watch the movie “Coco” and drink Mexican hot chocolate.

Though this year, students didn’t get a movie or a party, but some students didn’t seem to mind at all.

“I can’t wait for winter break,” said Whelchel. “It gives you a chance to relax and not worry about school.”

 

Disclaimer: In compliance with governor’s orders, all school-sponsored activities followed physical distancing and mask requirements, but due to the nature of COVID-19 limiting school activities, the community was invited to submit pictures for the newspaper. Many of these photos occurred on private residential property and therefore may not conform to the regulations binding school-sponsored activities.

Jan
12

By

Culinary students adapt to cooking classes from home

Category: Arts and Entertainment Tags: ,

Michaela Scott | editor-in-chief

Junior Kennedy Cole shares her favorite meal that she learned to prepare in Culinary Arts, PopTarts. The PopTarts were a familiar treat that culinary students cooked during the beginning of distance learning. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy Cole)

The electives Culinary Arts and Gourmet Foods have always been classes where students can bond through cooking and learning about food; however, distance learning has entirely changed the way students can participate in the two curriculums.

”It’s just a lot of inconvenience,” said sophomore Bella Whelchel. “Luckily, online culinary doesn’t limit my ability to learn, so much as my ability to comprehend, and more importantly, to practice.”

The two classes are primarily geared towards learning about basic cooking skills, the origin of food service, nutrition, and teamwork. Culinary is directly related to the exploration of Culinary Arts, whereas Gourmet Foods focuses on diet and wellness in addition to cooking techniques.

“There is no expectation that a student will come in with any prior knowledge or experience,” said Gourmet Foods teacher Andrew Policelli. “The classes are taught with the assumption that students need to learn the basics from the beginning.”

Students may be interested in enrolling in the two classes if they are planning on pursuing a career in the culinary arts field or if they want to start learning a skill that anyone could utilize, the ability to cook a delicious meal.

“Everyone needs to learn to feed themselves or their family. We learn skills that will help you for the rest of your life, and it’s fun!” said Culinary Arts teacher Dorene Kuebler. “We also learn fun things like how to make homemade pasta, piping skills for cake decorating, and all kinds of baking and cooking methods.”

In the beginning of the week in a normal, non-pandemic class session students gain an understanding of Culinary Arts; near the end of the week the class cooks a recipe in teams. Students spend time prepping ingredients, following cooking instructions, and presenting the food. However, this year has put forward several challenges and forced changes due to the online school environment.

“Classes online are very different,” Policelli said. “There is obviously no hands-on lab experience that you would normally get inside the classroom. We try to watch videos, analyze them, and discuss what issues students would run into if they were producing that particular item.”

Fortunately for students who may not have all the needed ingredients or tools, cooking is not required for either classes; it’s an optional activity, but encouraged to try each recipe to further comprehend the lesson. Kuebler and Policelli choose the lessons that they feel would be most valuable and allow students to suggest recipes for the future.

“Mr. Policelli and I are trying to pick recipes that we believe most people will be able to replicate at home,” said Kuebler. “There are so many recipes in our curriculum, so we choose what we think will be accessible to most people.”

On the other hand, students have spoken out about their feelings surrounding the at-home learning environment while cooking. Whelchel explained the inconvenience of cooking in her household due to many distractions and tasks.

“Usually it is too much of a hassle to be worth it,” said Whelchel. “I also have to deal with my entire family in the house while trying to cook, while under a strict timeline, while trying to clean the kitchen. It is just a lot of difficulty during the school day, so it’s easier to just view the video.”

In addition, several challenges have been introduced for teachers due to remote learning. Kuebler has expressed the difficulty of finding fun, interactive ways to teach without normal classroom equipment. Policelli explained how distance learning isn’t as stimulating as an in person experience because you cannot look over a students shoulder and provide needed help.

“Not being able to see my students and interact has been super challenging!” said Kuebler. “I miss their faces and their humor; I love to see my students bonding with their teammates, working through problems, and just having a great time. I really miss that.”

Despite the drastic changes students and teachers have endured due to online school, Culinary Arts and Gourmet Foods still remain as enjoyable, laid back electives for all students. Kuebler explained how the course is a good break from the loads of work and heavy content students receive in other subjects.

“I really liked the idea of having a fun class to go along with my core classes, so I chose Culinary and overall I really have enjoyed it,” said Whelchel. “I think the best part has been the relative lack of homework.”

Policelli’s goal for his students is to get as much out of the class as possible. Furthermore, he wants his students to fully gain an understanding of the basics of cooking, feeling comfortable testing out new recipes, and exploring the world of culinary arts to be able to determine if it is a career path that they’re passionate about.

“Gourmet Foods and Culinary Arts would benefit any student,” Policelli said. “We all need to eat and most of us enjoy eating good food; knowing how to cook will be a skill you can use for life, whether you are in the field professionally or not.”

Jan
12

By

Podcast: Episode 2 (Tariq Sims)

Category: Sports Tags: , ,

Check out our latest podcast in which we interview Tariq Sims on football, babies, and how the pandemic has impacted him: https://youtu.be/2-CoRZC_SwI

Jan
12

By

Superintendent Eric Williams’ Announces Resignation During COVID-19 Crisis

Category: News

Michael Scott | Editor-in-Chief

Former LCPS superintendent Eric Williams announced his resignation and began working as superintendent at CCISD on January 18. Williams worked in LCPS as superintendent for six and a half years.

Many changes have occurred since the last school year, including Eric Williams’ resignation from Loudoun County Public Schools while becoming superintendent of Clear Creek Public Schools. Williams officially left his position as superintendent of LCPS on January 6, and began at CCISD on January 18.

“He comes from a much larger school district that was fast growing and I understand CCPS is expecting to grow quickly as well,” said Leslee King, School Board Representative for the Broad Run District. “Williams’ background and accomplishments are well known, and he is well respected by his peers in Virginia and beyond.”

Clear Creek is located in League City, Texas, which neighbors part of the Houston metropolitan area. The school district’s policy is to publicize the future superintendent as the sole finalist and then when the school board members meet again, they announce the hiring.

“I found out the day before it was announced at the Clear Creek meeting,” said King. “I can’t speak for the board, but I was sorry to see him leave because I believe he did a tremendous amount of work moving our schools forward in a positive way with his push for student equity and against racism.”

After this announcement, the details were posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools Facebook page. This caused online feuding between parents and LCPS advocates about Williams in the comment section.

School board members Atoosa Reaser and Beth Barts declined to comment for an interview about Williams; additionally, Brenda Sheridan, Denise Corbo, Harris Mahedavi, Ian Serotkin, John Beatty, and Jeff Morse did not respond to a request for an interview.

“If I could describe LCPS feelings about Williams’ resignation in one word it would be varied,” King said. “Some thought he was doing a good job and others thought he wasn’t.”

King mentioned that many parents became incensed with the COVID-19 shutdown, and that some parents felt that their children were not in school and are still expressing those feelings. She explained that the pandemic seems to bring out the worst in many people because the “ugly emails and phone calls are rampant and a few other parents posted negative comments on the CCPS website.”

“What kind of ‘leader’ is out interviewing and going through the intense process of acquiring such a high level position with his current responsibilities in the middle of a crisis and pandemic?” said LCPS parent Layne Bradford on the LCPS public Facebook page. “Our kids are paying for your ineptness.”

King reported that some other parents felt that he was keeping our students safe and they recognized that LCPS was far ahead of all other school communities in Virginia when the pandemic crisis began. “Dr. Williams is a man of courage as he shut down our schools early and that helped keep our COVID-19 numbers at the lowest in the Washington metropolitan area,” King said.

Williams was among the first of the school districts in Virginia to implement that all K-12 students are equipped with Chromebooks and that hotspots for students needing better Internet connection are accessible across the county. Additionally, the LCPS Nutrition Team provided breakfast and lunches to students from day one of the COVID-19 lockdown. King mentioned that other school systems in the DMV were hacked, while LCPS were not which helped maintain normality in distance learning.

“Dr. Williams hired very well qualified people and presented a good vision; he set goals and actions that he strived to achieve and complete,” King said. “Of course, things are not perfect, but the entire staff worked many hours to make things better everyday for our students.”

After Williams’ announcement of his resignation, LCPS immediately began looking for an Interim Superintendent, ultimately choosing Dr. Scott Ziegler, former senior staff member of LCPS. “Dr. Ziegler was the best for our school system with his cabinet knowledge and excellent background in teaching, administration and he showed innovation,” King said..

This year introduced a series of changes for LCPS, however King is confident that the assets of the school system will help us through the pandemic. “We have excellent staff and teachers, and students who are adaptable; We will all get through this together,” King said.

Jan
11

By

Nineteen seniors from the class of 2021 recognized for academic achievements

Category: News

Olivia DeWan | staff writer

On December 10, nineteen seniors from the class of 2021 were honored by LCPS for ranking in the top five percent of their class academically for the first three years of their high school career.

“I was really proud to have made the top five percent,” said senior Caroline Curtin. “All my hard work paid off!”

During traditional school years, these students are recognized at a banquet at the end of the year, with additional recognition for National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, awarded when a student scores in the top one percent on the SAT.

This is an incredible honor to achieve, and it’s one that is celebrated.

At the Excellence in Education Banquet, seniors and their families are honored with dinner and a presentation, and are accompanied by a teacher of their choice.

This year, due to COVID, the banquet was not held because of safety concerns and governor’s orders.

“I had a feeling there wouldn’t be a banquet this year,” said Curtin. “I’m most disappointed that I am not able to invite and honor the teacher who has made the biggest impact on me and my life.”

LCPS has been honoring the accomplishments of these students through Facebook posts, recognizing the students from Loudoun County along with students from other high schools.

Though it’s not as close to the excitement that the banquet held, it is still a way of congratulating the hard working students.

Along with Curtin, the other eighteen seniors from Loudoun County honored are as follows.

Andrew W. Abbott, Zara A. Ashford, Jackson W. Chinn, Aidan K. Cranfield, Joshua G. Daniel, Adin J. Freese, Christian W. Giannos, Erick E. Gonzalez Jr., Sejal Gupta, Cole Howard, Sarah E. Jimenez, Antia R. Kau, Madeline D. Reece, Elizabeth S. Sellers, Maseel A. Shah, Cameron F. Suttie, David R. Taliaferro, and Samantha K. Welstead.

Curtin now gets to take the next steps in her life with this honor to her name.

“I’m most excited to see where I end up,” she said. “I can’t wait to make an impact in my college community.”

 

The photo above is the post that LCPS put out on their Facebook page to honor the students and their academic achievements. Nineteen students were honored.

Jan
11

By

Snow days continue despite online classes

Category: News Tags:

Alexis Shugars | Staff Writer

Snow and ice cover leaves, the aftermath of the snow day on December 16. Photo by sophomore Lauren Kirk.

During the winter season, one of the things students and staff look forward to the most are snow days. With most teachers and students working from home, many thought snow days would be a thing of the past. An announcement from Loudoun County Public Schools on November 13, explained that this is not the case.

On December 16, with snow predicted in the forecast, LCPS called for their first snow day of the school year, followed by December 17 after the county saw several inches of snow and ice. All Loudoun County Public Schools and Administrative Offices were closed, as well as food pick-up and deliveries being cancelled.

In the case of past years, or snow days are usually called because of transportation. To learn more about the in depth decision for snow days, click here.

Although the excitement from the snow day announcement was very clear, it also left a lot of confusion as to why snow days continue in the current online learning environment.

As stated in a message from Assistant Superintendent, Kevin Lewis, “While it may seem that continuing with the school day through remote instruction is feasible, many other factors also have to be considered.”

One example of these factors include public utilities affected by weather, which may limit students’ ability to participate in or attend their online classes. Another concern is staff members who chose to teach remotely from their classrooms. The regular food deliveries, normally delivered via buses or picked up by parents at schools, are impacted by severe weather and dangerous road conditions, further contributing to the district’s decision to close.

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