STAMPEDE
TOM MOORE PAGE 5
WINTER SPORTS UPDATES PAGE 10
VACCINE INFORMATION PAGE 12
CORONAVIRUS
January 2021 SCHOOLS ADAPT TO A DEADLY PANDEMIC
idolizing politicians by Kerrigan Edwards, edtor in chief In recent times, there has undoubtedly been a significant increase in the idolization of politicians. There are many things incorrect with this ideology and it can lead to a toxic relationship that both parties are involved in. During the time of an election, it is extremely common for civilians to place signs and flags in public locations such as in a yard or outside of a business. This is understandable and normal. The individual is showing a public display of their support for a politician. However, things become unbearable when it becomes a personality trait. The issue begins when someone starts to imagine said politician as a celebrity. A political figure is not someone that you can look up to and portray as a role model. The purpose of someone in government is to enforce what should
coronavirus issue 2020-2021 STAFF Editors Editor-in-chief
Kerrigan Edwards
Video
Taylor Willmarth
Staff David Miller Madison McMurphey Marissa McMickle Ava Donahue Lucie Michel Anthony Matury Isabel Foley Auri Rivera Justin Bollich Arrin Mader
Advisor
Beth Britton
Principal
Kerry Parsons
be mandatory in politics. It is not to treat your supporters as fans. However, this is starting to become a frequent circumstance. Idolizing politicians can lead to blindness of policy. If an individual finds an issue within something that a political figure may propose, there is a good chance that it will be ignored due to the idolization they hold over that person. This presents a great number of concerns when considering the damage that would cause. Instead of participating in the toxic trait of holding government officials on a pedestal, civilians should be holding them accountable for irreversible actions that they may commit. Just because you support someone, does not mean that you should ignore the actions you perceive as wrong. That shows maturity.
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Table of Contents Kerrigan’s column Student Profiles Remote Learning Block Scheduling Tom Moore Brittany Light Fine Arts Restrictions Middle Schools Elementary Schools French Students Physical Education Winter Sports Roosevelt Vaccine Information Coronavirus Information
The Stampede staff strives to produce a publication that is relevant to the CMR student body while maintaining journalistic standards.
Editorial Policy The Stampede -- produced by journalism classes at C.M Russell High School -- is a public forum for all voices on campus. These voices include the students, parents, faculty and the community at large. The opinions and views in this publication are not necessarily those of the Stampede staff, the student body, CMR employees or the school administration. The Stampede strives to cover the news accurately and fairlyl; however, when a mistake is made, a correction will be printed in the following issue. All writers are responsible for the
content of their articles. Editors will edit all copies to be free of plagiarism and libel, and all writers will double-check their facts before publication. Letters to the editor and guest essays are welcome. Letters are limited to 200 words, and essays 350 words. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number so authenticity can be verified. The editors and/or advuser reserve the right to edit all letters for grammar and spelling as well as content that may include profanity, be libelous, obscene or not meet general editorial
guidelines. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Submissions can be dropped off in room 326 or e-mailed to: stampede@ gfps.k12.mt.us. The Stampede maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll. Some material courtesy of American Society or Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.
January 2021 rustlernews.com
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CMR sophomore expresses her struggles amid COVID-19 by Ava Donahue, staff writer
The COVID-19 pandemic has overtaken our world in more ways than one. Students have been hit especially hard with all of the protocol that has been put in place to keep ourselves and others safe. Ashlynn Martinez, a sophomore at CMR, has felt the weight of the pandemic and the uncertainty it has put on her future. “Covid has affected me most with being scared for my future,” she said. “Many things that I wanted to get done, I was not able to do due to the restrictions.” The distance learning that was put in place for the second half of last year and for two weeks this year has been a challenge for some, but Martinez manages to see both the positives and negatives in the situation.
“My education has been affected, in some ways positive and in others negative. For the negative, I wasn’t able to get one-onone help in school when we shut down,” Martinez said. “That really affected my learning and was hard to bounce back from. And as for the positives, I learned to push myself and to stop procrastinating.” Distance learning and the fear of the unknown have negatively affected Martinezs’ mental health. “The toll Covid took on my mental health was poor. Because we weren’t able to see friends for a while, it made me really sad. And even still now, we have to be careful with socializing,” Martinez said. “I really miss how socializing was before. And also worrying for my health and others’ too is something hard to wrap my head around. The reality with this virus is getting more and more real, and it is scary.”
RUSTLERS HANDLE THE PANDEMIC Shaneybrook takes on COVID-19 by Auri Rivera, staff writer
COVID-19 has made an impact on every single Rustler, including freshman Andie Shaneybrook. Like other students, Shaneybrook is quick to mention the negative effects on her life. “Wearing masks, and not being able to see everyone's faces [is tough],” she said. “It’s been difficult not being able to partake in daily activities,” she said. This freshman has adapted to all the Covid restrictions and new changes while going to school. When it comes to the block schedule, however, Shaneybrook has mixed feelings. “ I am not fond of the block scheduling because it makes the day feel longer,” she said. “However, it also provides more time to get work done, so I'm not flooded with homework and rushing to get it in the next day. I have more time to turn it in and more time to work on it.” Shaneybrook decided to
attend to school rather than stay home and complete online work. “I chose to do in-person learning,” she said. “I didn't want to start my first year of high school looking at a screen. I find it easier to learn and understand better in person.” Shaneybrook says she doesn't totally agree with some of the changes, but she admits she doesn't necessarily dislike them. “Based on all the changes that have been made there are some things better than others, but in a situation like this I’m not sure if anyone would like the adaptations from Covid blindly forced upon us,” she said. “Covid has been around for [almost] a year now, and after having something like that around for an extended amount of time you learn to adapt to it and get used to the change,” she said. “I do miss being able to converse with your friends without a piece of cloth covering half of their face.”
Photo by Marissa McMickle.
Covid forces junior Dawson Williams to adjust plans by Marissa McMickle, staff writer
Since the beginning of 2020 everything has been different, and a lot has been cancelled. For junior Dawson Williams, the cancellations can have bigger consequences. “The hardest part of the pandemic for me has been seeing our nation further divide itself over politics.’ Williams said. “With the BLM riots, the election year, the storming of the Capital, and other related incidents, we only grow further apart from our neighbors, friends, and family.” Williams added that his fishing trip in Canada and the track and field season were also cancelled. He was also unable to see his aunt during the shutdown. “My $20,000 Flight
School Scholarship and Chamber Orchestra tour in Canada were the two biggest [cancellations],” Williams said. He also stated that with the first shutdown back in March, not being able to see his friends and his grades dropping more than he anticipated took a toll on his mental health. “Recently, I’ve been at the top of my game. After Covid hit, I didn’t see my friends for months due to the lockdown. “I was in a terrible mental state and felt alone,” Williams said. “It took me a while to realize that I needed to find happiness through myself instead of through other people.”
January 2021 rustlernews.com
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Remote Learning
Q&A
by David Miller, staff writer
I spoke with student Cat Rangel, 11, about her remote learning experience. Cat has been remote learning from the beginning of the school year and hopes that next year, she’ll be able to return.
Q:What is your stance on remote learning?
Q: How would you change how things are being taught now?
A:I wish there were more options. There aren’t any options right now in the Great Falls Public School District for honors classes.
A: There’s really no way for you to participate in certain electives and discussion is kind of out the window.
Q:What are some benefits of remote learning? A: I’m getting a lot of the requirements that I need to graduate so that next year, my only required class will be English.
Q: How has the social aspect changed? A: [In school] we were more encouraged to talk to each other. I wish I knew the people I was doing my online classes with. I don’t know anybody’s name if I’m being completely honest.
Q:What does your schedule look like now, doing remote learning? A: I’ve been working at McKenzie River Pizza and when I come home from work, I do my homework. Q:How would your schedule be different if you were in school in person? A: I’d be living at the school. I’d be in student government, I’d be involved with drama, basically, I’d be at the school as much as possible.
Block Schedule: worth it?
by Anthony Matury, staff writer
Block scheduling was one of the changes that took place this year with all of the new health guidelines and protocols. The block schedule was designed to help with contact tracing and lowering numbers while making classes over 80 percent longer. And with every big decision comes split opinions. “Yes and no. A lot of classes take advantage of [the time alloted], and there are some that don’t take advantage of the time.” Michael Kadoshnikov, 12 “At first, I really didn’t like the thought of [the block schedule] since it was different and I wanted everything to stay the same as it was, but school overall is a lot shorter and I think it’s pretty neat. I [also] like sleeping in and stuff.” Savanna Solano, 11 “I’m personally a very big fan of the block scheduling. It allows enough time for education without it being too overbearing, especially for classes like math. It allows formore material to be learned and digested.” Trent Koch, 12 “I’m not a big fan of it because you can’t see your teachers everyday, and it makes it pretty tough in some classes, like math, to get by.” Luke Jaraczeski, 12
“Block scheduling is tough on students from the standpoint of a lot of kids have a tough time concentrating for an hour and a half on the same subject and sit in the same room for that long. Teachers are having issues with it also because it is difficult after twenty-some years of teaching [with] 50 minute periods to figure out lessons, labs, and other things for an hour and a half period. Another thing I find difficult is kids are missing classes. They’re not going to the same class, let say Health and P.E. for example, is every other day. So, if a kid misses Health on a Wednesday, they might miss the whole week of Health, so they’re missing quite a bit of instruction if they do miss one class, compared to missing a day in a 50-minute period. They can come back the next day and usually be okay to get caught up. So, it’s difficult in a lot of different areas, I think. Remembering which day it is, if you have a 0-period off, if it is a Health day, especially freshmen, they’re having troubles [figuring out] if it is a Health or P.E. [day]. Remembering the whole mark from last Thursday in Health class, ‘Do I got Health on Monday?’ It’s very difficult.” Mike Lins, Transitions Teacher
January 2021 rustlernews.com
05 MOORE UNMASKS IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LEADERS Hear the full Taylor Willmarth exclusive interview with Superintendent Tom Moore only on Stampede Speaks. Log on to rustlernews.com for access to podcasts, videos, and special stories. by Taylor Willmarth, video and audio editor
Moore: I think that for my entire career, the challenges
that I have faced in my previous work and in this school district don’t even come close to what we’ve had to deal with here. It’s at times a little daunting in terms of [determining] how you bring together the resources and the people to make really good decisions when there’s no playbook or experience in this arena. Willmarth: You’re writing the playbook? Moore: Exactly. In that regard, I feel blessed, actually, to be working with a team of individuals with the wisdom to be able to think on their feet and prepare quickly for different scenarios that unfold. I mean, we have to be pivoting almost daily. And then sometimes, we almost have to be careful not to pivot too quickly and make decisions too rapidly. Sometimes people are wanting us to let them know or to make decisions right now, when the prudent thing to do is gather more information and more input, and then make decisions. Willmarth: It’s a balancing act. Moore: It’s a balance. Sometimes you have to make an immediate decision. Sometimes it’s prudent to take a little more time and let things play out a bit and develop. Because of the team of people I have to work with, and the fact that I had been with the district for 12 years prior to assuming this role, and I have developed relationships with those people, it helps a lot. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to come in two years ago as the superintendent from somewhere else and not have those established relationships, both here in the school district and in the larger community. A lot of my community
“It’s almost surreal. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be leading a school district under these circumstances.”
connections are of great value to me, and are able to lead and manage the challenges of this particular era. Willmarth: This is a tough but necessary question. When you look at the district as a whole, would you say that the COVID-19 response has been a success? Moore: I’m going to take your question and cut it into a couple of pieces. Last spring on March 15, we had some administrators on our district team that were forecasting school closure. They were advising me and preparing for what they believed would be the eventual closure of our schools. And so we are up here on I believe it was Sunday, March 15th at the district office with all of our school leaders. I think we started at like 11 o’clock in the morning. We had every principal and Associate principal and we were strategizing what we’re going to do, and how we’re going to manage each of these different things. At about five o’clock that afternoon, we got a call from the governor’s office closing schools. Willmarth: It was an incredibly quick turn around. Moore: Yes. I went up and talked with a teacher at your high school after we got back from [the two week closure over Thanksgiving break], and I asked out of curiosity what percentage of [his] students were disengaged during that two weeks. He said about thirty to thirty three percent. I think at least that many were disengaged last spring for Photo: Superintendent Tom Moore accepted nine weeks. That’s concerning to me. So, were we a two-year contract in 2019, replacing longsuccessful in engaging students in remote learning time administrator Tammy Lacey. on the drop of a dime? No, we were not. Are we better at it today than we were then? I hope so.
LIGHT ON COUNSELING DURING THE PANDEMIC
by Kerrigan Edwards, editor in chief The mental toll that the coronavirus and new remote learning A positive addition to the counseling department this year has options have had on students is very prominent for counselor assisted Light and other counselors tremendously. “We were Brittany Light. “I think being in school is the best learning lucky enough to hire Mrs. Pace at the end of the summer, so environment. I think a common theme of student struggle this we all shifted some students. This actually lowered everyone’s year is lacking motivation. I feel like I talk to at least one student caseload a bit, which was much needed as our student to a day who has just lost motivation, and I can counselor ratio was fairly high,” said Light. Having totally empathize with that,” Light said. To keep another person on this staff allows for completing “I want students to in touch with her students, and make sure that other tasks and assists in complicated endeavors they are doing well in their personal lives, Light as testing. know that I am there such reaches out. “I want students to know that I Reflecting on what impact Coronavirus has had am there for them, though sometimes not on students, Light says, “Students are struggling for them, though physically there,” she said. academically and personally right now, and I would sometimes not To prepare for the reopening of the Great say there is a large increase in student needs at this Falls Public School district, Light had to take time. I would say the most common themes I see physically there.” on a variety of new responsibilities. “My job are motivation, signs of depression, and academic demands shifted over the summer when we challenges.” Light has not been a stranger to what were wrapping our minds around what block scheduling would COVID-19 has caused for her from a professional standpoint look like as well as creating schedules for fully remote learners,” as well. “Professionally, it has completely disrupted the way said Light. Like everyone else, Light”s job requirements have we think about education and instruction. I don’t think that changed slightly to accommodate this year’s unexpected turn. disruption is all negative. I think sometimes it takes something “During the school year, there have been some adjustments harsh like that for people to step back and really reconsider and growing pains, but the changes in my position are minimal, why/how we do the things we do and question if we could do compared to the exponentially increased challenges and changes better or be more efficient and effective.” Light said. for teachers,” Light said.
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Student Thoughts
ORCHESTRA “I don’t necessarily like being filmed playing the violin because the camera really takes away from live performance of [the] orchestra, but I do think it is important to restrict our audience numbers, and if that means restricting the number zero, that’s perfectly fine by me, as long as we keep people safe.” Grace Hansen, 11
January 2021 rustlernews.com
FINE ARTS FACE RESTRICTIONS by David Miller, Staff Writer Like all the arts, restriction of audience size and mask mandates are hurdles the CMR Drama Department faces. After those, the rest was left up to the discretion of teacher Chris Evans. He buckles down on the mask policy, keeping it strict with masks worn properly. Along with the school-wide slogan “gel in, gel out”, he practices distancing in every class activity with multiple seating charts and measured spaces. Evans is 100% supportive of the restrictions. Evans said, “It would devastate me if someone caught COVID from something I tried to do.” Some events have been cancelled to stay within the guidelines. The drama classroom isn’t large enough
DRAMA
to safely hold a class and, this year, the drama department has not had a live production. Many schools around the country have tried to perform shows with masks, but lost their productions last second from COVID and contact tracing. Evans doesn’t want to chance it at all. “If you guys aren’t safe, we aren’t doing it,” Evans said. Even with the restrictions, Evans strives to keep students engaged in theatre which he believes, “needs to happen,” by providing as many safe and distanced opportunities as possible. Evans wants the students to know that he is doing everything he can to keep giving opportunities and that he’s looking toward the future. Below: Drama students practice mirroring exercises. Photo by Marissa McMickle.
CHOIR “It’s a bit difficult just having to space out. You can’t hear people as well when you’re spaced. A mask is a bit wacky to sing through, but the special singing masks we have help. If we have to do that to keep it safe enough to do choir, I’d rather do that than not do choir at all.” Caden Bicsak, 12
Above: Alayna Roth plays holiday music on her cello. Photo by Marissa McMickle. The band department has been limited by the guidelines, but perseveres under troubling conditions. Many instruments have to use bell covers, and flute players specifically require face shields. Players must have their masks on unless playing. In class, students can only play for 30-45 minutes at a time. In a regular schedule, that would be nothing of a limitation, but with the extended periods, it leaves a hefty amount of time to be filled. “It’s getting very hard to keep enforcing it,” said band teacher Chris Kloker. “[The] kids are fatigued. I’m fatigued.”
Band was fortunate enough to perform in one concert this year before restrictions were made more severe, but their other events have been halted. There is significantly less pep band presence, no marching band at all, and the jazz band lost all of their extra performances such as performing at retirement homes. A big hit to both the music and drama department was the loss of a musical this year, which all departments focused a good chunk of the year on. The guidelines have had secondary effects as well. Limiting the play time for band students
BAND has caused Kloker to reluctantly select easier music for the kids to play. Kloker believes that these guidelines will negatively impact the program. In fact, he said he is already seeing their effects. Kloker does as much as he can with the kids in class. When not playing, the students spend time focusing on music theory. He encourages them to practice at home and reassures his students that “this too shall pass.”
January 15, 2021 rustlernews.com
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Teachers hold out hope DURING COVID by Isabel Foley, Staff Writer
Saved by the bell North Middle School students leave school on Dec. 17 2020. Students were excited to be back in school after the period of remote learning before Thanksgiving. Photo by Isabel Foley.
Principal reflects on strange year by Isabel Foley, Staff Writer Being a principal can be difficult in the best of times, but this year has been more difficult than usual for one middle school principal. Tara Rosipal, principal of North Middle School, said the 2020-2021 school year has turned her into more of a manager of a school than a principal. “I am making sure directives and compliance is followed, supporting the staff with new challenges such as technology and teaching remote, and being a support for parents and students,” Rosipal said. Although school administrators complete similar tasks every year, Rosipal said the time and feeling is different this year. “I would say 60 percent of my time is spent on something COVID-related,” she said. “That means I am working at home in the evening and weekends on all the regular principal stuff. I am not reading about best practices and innovative education. I am reading about how many cases of COVID and how other districts across the U.S. are working with the same concerns.” Despite all the challenges, she said that she still enjoys her job and is proud of her students and staff. “I am proud of how well the teachers and students were able to plan and implement remote learning with success, [and] I am proud of the parent support we have for doing everything we can to keep students safe and educate them.”
When Great Falls Public way traffic, which is really schools went online the nice,’ she said. Cape isn’t the only week prior to thanksgiving, one North Middle School teacher who is glad to be rid of the lockers. Social studies teacher didn’t know how teacher Brian Dues shares students would react. But then she saw them in action. this sentiment. “I was so proud that the “We haven’t had lockers, and I think that’s helped kids took it upon themselves to be on with us. We had the kids be more prepared for class,” Dues said. He great attendance, because also said that our kids were expected to despite the growing pains be on each he believes his class period, students have they had to all become follow their better people schedule, and because of this. our kids were W h i l e on there and students have students may wanting to “Our becoming learn,” English become much more self be t e a c h e r reliant, they’re much more better people. Covid is Jessica Cape motivated. It has been alarming said. “I mean a growing experience an you’re looking and it has been growing, thing and many at 12 and 13 growing pains because are scared of year-olds 14 of that but I think we all getting it, or year-olds that have grown to be better of their family are owning people because of it.” getting it. With emotions their learning. Brian Dues running high, And that’s what we can hope for.” Cape advises people to be Cape has been teaching 7th patient. “You have to give grace. and 8th grade English for You have to be patient. 20 years, and this year has During this time, caused her to make some I think you have to be changes. “I’ve had to use more understanding. It’s no technology. I’ve had to be longer black and white; there has to be some gray more organized as far as areas,” she said. “And I making sure everything is think you have to be flexible being placed where kids can and willing to listen to what access it whether they’re in the classroom or at home, your kids are saying, you learning,” Cape said. While know, like my honors kids they were saying ‘we’re so some changes are strange overwhelmed we’re getting and disappointing, one that it in every angle.’ Just Cape would keep is not having lockers. listening to their emotions and what they’re feeling and “I don’t have kids adjusting to helps them be coming in late, they’re not losing things or I forgot that successful.” sort of thing. We have one-
January 2021 rustlernews.com
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Elementary staff and students emprace changes
PRINCIPAL reflects on differences by Marissa McMickle, staff writer The coronavirus has taken a toll on all of us in many different ways. Principal Luke Diekhans shares what precautions had to be taken for Riverview Elementary School to open back up. “We had to modify a lot of procedures,” he said. “How kids come in and out of the building, how kids are going to and from recess, where they can be at during recess. The lunchroom is another one where everyone has assigned seats and are spaced out as well.” Diekhans stated how lucky Riverview is to be a loop, so they can have a one way flow of traffic to minimize face-to-face contact. “They can go on the playground. The big thing with that is it’s like going to a PE class or something. You would have to gel in and gel out all the time, so when they leave their classroom to go out to recess, they would have to gel out and after they are finished they have to gel back in,” he said. Diekhans is considering keeping some changes to the school. “One of the pieces that has really worked well is not having people just walking into the building. We have them stop outside. It’s just a safety precaution as well that we are looking at in the future,” Diekhans said.
Like all schools, Riverview Elementary has made several changes due to the pandemic. Photos by Marissa McMickle.
Q&A; Lydia Comstock, Grade 6
Q: What has been the hardest part of everything? A: “Probably not being able to see the other class, just becasue some of my freinds are in that class and it’s not as fun to spend the rest of 6th grade year without them.” Q: How have you adapted? A: “Since we aren’t allowed to move our desks, my friends and I have come up with a hand language to talk to each other.” Q: What has this year looked like compared to the previous years? A: “It’s definitely been very different because we haven’t been able to see the other class. I think it’s for the best.”
Small Struggles in Kindergarten by Marissa McMickle, staff writer Kindergarten teaches kids life skills such as problem solving, study skills, and sharing. For kindergarten teacher Kristal Thunstrom, those skills are harder to teach this year than ever before. “I used to have tables so the students could work in groups and, with it being kindergarten, practice sharing crayons, pencils, scissors, and things. Now they have desks with the materials they do not share,” Thunstrom said. Most of the students know what’s going on because their parents talk about it. Thunstrom said there are more comments that there are questions. “I haven’t had a lot of questions, but most of them I feel like know, their parents or someone else has already kind of addressed it with them and they seem like they pretty much are aware of what is happening at a
5-year-old level,” she said. “I think the hardest part was when we had one out and then I had a class of only seven, it quarantined that many kids. With the few I had that were either out sick or had tested positive.” Thunstrom said because of the shut down before school ended last year, they had more time to plan for a not-so-normal school year this year, and it wasn’t rushed. “The biggest challenge for me is the fear, and it’s not even so much for me, it’s for my kids, it’s for their families, it’s for our community. My main fear is with the holidays. Once the holidays are done, I’ll feel a little bit better about it, Thunstrom explained. “I feel sad for the kids who are going to be quarantined over the holidays and not be able to spend it with people they usually do.”
January 2021 rustlernews.com
LES ETUDIANTS FRANCAIS TIENNENT LE COUP
by Lucie Michel, staff writer Amel Ammar and Ema Harroue have multiple common points -- they are French, they are 18, and they finished high school earlier this year and are now starting to fly on their own. They also have something in common with Rustlers, Montanans, Americans, and everyone else. They are experiencing COVID and all its effects. Ammar is a student at Arts Décoratifs in Paris looking forward to working in the animation sector. Harroue is in the city of Rennes studying a French curriculum called Licence en Littérature Langue et Civilisations Etrangères et Régionales. Its American equivalent would be a bachelor’s degree in English language and culture. At the beginning of November, French President Emmanuel Macron gave a speech ordering people to quarantine for a month. In December, Macron talked again and gave his new conditions for living. France went to its first quarantine from March to May. For this second quarantine, restrictions were lightened a lot, leaving not only the students but every French citizen wondering about the benefit and the inconsistencies of some of the Amel Ammar measures. While high school students had to go to class without any exams, older students like Ammar and Harroue are mostly working from
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home but still have to take exams. and bolder.” “Most of the people were able to COVID is not the only issue physically get to work and practice it in France currently, it is also almost normally; others could strengthening distinct problems. go out if they had a certificate, Lately French people have been at the end of the day students demonstrating a lot against a were the most penalized one,” new law supposed to protect Harroue says. policemen from being recorded. Harroue is currently The law is the result of a working from home full growing number of videos taken time, while Ammar has the during quarantine time showing authorization to go to college how violent repressions and for some of her art workshops. unfair controls against targeted Harroue confesses she is really populations are being used by in a situation of failure right order forces to make people now. She said she can hardly respect COVID restrictions. motivate herself, and Ammar, who really feels staying home all day long concerned by the situation, is not helping her. She claims: “COVID increases more has even decided lately than ever the inequity and to change her course of inequality on so many levels, studies. not that it’s not important, but Harroue and Ammar, Ema Harroue it’s not new, unfortunately.” like most of the French Concerning the future of students when they start postthese two French girls, it is strongly high school studies, left the uncertain. Harroue is worried she will family cocoon/nest and got their not even be able to reorientate and own place. What they are going is too scared to look forward, while through is already a pivotal period Ammar is worried about the artistic in life without any pandemic, and cultural domain falling apart since where you have to learn how it’s not considered vital. to be independent and to deal However, as the pandemic goes with adult responsibilities. When on, they are also learning about asked how they are dealing with themselves and life. the situation, Ammar answers: “It’s OK to say stop. You don’t “I feel overwhelmed, exhausted have to assume all the world’s and irritable more than before, diseases without rest. Rest is part of really stressed, anxious and the process,” Ammar said. “Let’s just worried,” Ammar said. “There is more cherish our emotions otherwise we pressure, feels like the world expects lost a precious part of humanity.” us to be more than enough, stronger
COVID-19 IMPACTS PE CLASSES
Students play volleyball and badminton on Dec.4. Photo by Madison McMurphey.
by Lucie Michel, Madison McMurphey, staff writers At CMR, the PE teachers once a week it’s not very much had to adapt themselves a lot to even when we’re talking about face the pandemic. getting in shape,” PE teacher Staff have to respect a lot Paula Olsen said. of new sanitation instructions and PE classes for students it creates multiple issues including during remote learning is another the number of students allowed challenge. Some students choose in the locker rooms, cleaning and to stay home and not come to spraying every equipment used, school anymore, teachers still and having to keep masks on have to continuously create during exercises. special assignments for them. New block schedules have Despite all of this, also impacted PE classes because students seem to stay motivated students now have a lot less time and enjoy time when they can still for sport. have physical activities. PE offers “I feel like the kids don’t them the opportunity to take it get enough gym. There are some out and get their mind away from weeks that they only get one PE. this crazy time in history. If you’re working on something
January 2021 rustlernews.com
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Under the guidance of assistant coach Dick Kloppel, senior Chloe Pace takes a shot as the girls varsity basketball team practiced in the fieldhouse on Dec. 22. Kloppel is a former CMR principal who also coached state-winning basketball teams during his tenure at Great Falls HIgh School. Photo by Beth Britton.
WINTERIN THE SPORTS AGE OF COVID-19
by Justin Bollich, Staff Writer Coach Aaron Jensen, like everyone else in the school district, didn’t expect all of the new challenges from COVID-19 this year. But he and the wrestling team are getting through it. Practice for wrestling started on Dec. 7, and the season started Jan. 8. “[The season will be] about three months, something like that, a lot more practice time than we normally have,” Jensen said, adding that the state tournament is set for March 5-6. Parents of longtime wrestlers aren’t super concerned, but students and parents joining for the first time may be worried. “We have had conversations with kids that are trying to get out for the team that have never wrestled and the parents are concerned,” Jensen said. “You know, wrestling being such a close contact sport, we just try to educate them that we’re absolutely as safe as possible.” Jensen and the rest of the team are doing everything they can to keep contact to a minimum. “We put them in pods with coaches, he said. “We coach specific kids and they don’t change partners. That’s the best we can do, and then we just talk to them about making sure that they are safe” While the wrestling team is managing Covid the best they can, some of the biggest problems with having wrestling during a time like this are things that can’t be controlled.
“There’s a lot of protocols, making sure that, you know, kids don’t come in with any symptoms, that we’re masking up, that we’re keeping the place sanitized,” Jensen said. “You just gotta know day-today if somebody gets contact traced from school, something like that, they gotta be out for two weeks.” Girls basketball coach Brian Crosby is also facing challenges from Covid for his team. “We [had] two girls that [were] contact traced. So they’re gonna miss how many days of practice,” he said. “That’s a challenge to kind of keep everyone on the same page -- keeping people healthy.” Like in wrestling, the basketball season has been shortened. “They’re only going to do our 14 conference games, so normally we play 18 and then have our divisional tournaments, so we lost four games so far,” Crosby said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to play; if we have to move kids around we’ll do it. Our hope is to get through the season.” While all of these changes can be a challenge, Jensen said he doesn’t really have a problem with them. “It’s challenging, but at the end of the day these kids can have a wrestling season, we can get all of our athletics in, and all of our activities in,” Jensen said. “I think the positives outweigh the negatives. It’s just good for these kids to have some sense of normalcy here at CMR, and activities play a big role in that.”
During the Jan. 8 competition against Billings Senior, JV wrestler Luke Leinhauser takes on his opponent. Photo by Amber Kegel/Russellog staff.
The Rustler and Bison swimmers prepare to take on their competition virtually during the first meet of the season on Jan. 8 at the Great Falls High School pool. Photo by Izzi Rukavina.
January 2021 rustlernews.com
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ROOSEVELT REMOTE LEARNING CENTER by Kerrigan Edwards, Editor in Chief and Taylor Willmarth, Video and Audio Editor Online learning was available to every student across the Great Falls Public Schools district this year, following last year’s immediate closure.
Learn more about how teachers, parents, and students are handling their education from home, during the pandemic.
Jean Falcon
Amy Sterling
Kandi Patton
“I believe that most parents want to help their kids, but they don’t have the necessary tools to help them.”
“The hardest part for me is not having kids in front of me. I value communicating and learning to build relationships.”
“As a relationship-centered teacher, it is harder to build that sense of rapport and trust.”
Kim Blaine
“There are some students that are struggling. But we have a lot of the year left, and I’ve seen a lot of kids that are starting to do better.”
CHIEF JOSEPH ELEMENTARY TEACHER HOMESCHOOLS HER CHILDREN THIS YEAR by Taylor WIllmarth, Video and Audio Editor Sabrina Schuler was a 1st grade teacher at Chief Joseph Elementary School when COVID-19 upended education nationwide. She has seen the impacts of the virus from the perspective of a parent and an educator. Before the 2020-2021 school year started, Schuler decided to homeschool her children to keep their family safe. Schuler says a key reason for their decision to participate in remote learning was the tumultuous end to last school year. Above: Roosevelt Elementary’s hallways “I can tell you that there were a lot of tears last remain bare as teachers limit contact. Spring,” she said. “From a parent perspective, it was Below: “Be Kind.” Teacher Amy Sterling fills her classroom with positive messages. rough.” Schuler’s fourth grade daughter, Celtie, and fifth Photos by Taylor Willmarth. grade son, Decker, accepted the family’s decision to go remote for safety reasons. “We don’t want to get COVID,” Celtie said. “Our grandpa is at pretty high risk for it too.” In making the decision to homeschool this school year, the family explored many programs. They settled on Seton Home Study School, a K-12 Catholic homeschool program. Celtie and Decker are also both enrolled in the gifted education program at Chief Joseph Elementary School, and participate in Zoom meetings for additional challenges and occasional check-ins with their classroom teacher. Schuler believes that her kids are progressing well
educationally despite the current situation. “I’m learning about fractions and a little about decimals and it’s going pretty good,” Decker said. Both children agreed that doing school from home has been fun, but they haven’t had the same amount of exposure to friends and peers as in years past. “After school is out, we sometimes can FaceTime or play outside with one of our best friends [who] lives two houses down,” Decker said. “Even when we play outside, we usually have to wear our masks though.” The Schulers plan to return to school when they deem it safe, and with COVID-19 vaccines rolling out, it could be as soon as next year. Like all Americans, the family hopes to return to some sense of normalcy soon. “These guys are pretty responsible and independent,” Schuler said. “However, it’s still a fulltime job trying to keep up.” Celte and Decker Schuler do schoolwork alongside younger siblings. photo courtesy of Sabrina Schuler
QUINN OVERSEES REMOTE LEARNING CENTER by Kerrigan Edwards, Editor in Chief
The task of overseeing the newly developed remote learning center, Roosevelt Elementary, was given to an obvious candidate in the district. Susan Quinn, a former Associate Principal at C. M. Russell High School, and the current High School Coordinator of Curriculum, was appointed
to a temporary position created specifically for the 2020-2021 decision-based learning environment. “What I really wanted for this full-time remote learning for this school year was to have everybody in one place so we could support each other. Teachers could get immediate feedback
and help when they needed it,” Quinn said. “I’m so grateful the teachers have been so generous with each other and their time and kind of work together to make it all work well.”
12 Covid-19 Vaccine Update by Ava Donahue, staff writer
school nurse gives insight on the vaccine Covid has been a massive issue in our world for months now. Since the beginning of the pandemic, scientists have been looking for a vaccine or cure to the virus so we can begin to return our world to normalcy. Finally, we have a solution. A vaccine has officially been made and approved to be distributed to the public. Jen Gunter, CMR’s school nurse, has given us an insight on what is going on with the vaccine. Gunter mentioned that the earliest doses of the vaccine came to Montana weeks ago. “There are about 9,700 of them and they will be designated for healthcare workers initially, and then maybe some extended care living, elderly folks.” News of the vaccine is relieving to most but Gunter worries that there is so much misinformation about the vaccine that some will not want to get it. “My biggest concern right now is that there is so much misinformation about the vaccination and people have concerns that because it was created and expedited to this point that it is somehow ineffective or unsafe,” Gunter said. “I would encourage people to research that and get their questions answered through a reputable source and not through FaceBook or other social media.” With a vaccine approved, our road to recovery is finally near. Gunter thinks that by February 01, 2021 we will begin to see somewhat of a decline in our number of cases. Gunter says that our road to recovery will most likely begin when our most vulnerable, such as healthcare workers and the elderly, get vaccinated. “I don’t know when we’ll all stop with social distancing and give up wearing the mask but I feel once our most vulnerable are protected, some of those things will be relaxed,” Gunter said. “That will be sometime between, let’s say, April 01 and June 01. Sometime in that frame.” For now, Gunter has one message for the students of CMR. “Stay home if you’re sick. Stay home even if you think you have a cold. Stay home.”
Covid-19 vaccine Timeline
12.06.20→ A CDC panel decided how vaccines should be distributed, but it is unclear when they will be available. 12.06.20→ Operation Warp Speed’s top scientist will meet with President-Elect Joe Biden to discuss COVID-19 vaccine rollout. 12.07.20→ A 90-year-old British woman becomes the world’s first to receive the approved COVID-19 vaccine. 12.08.20→ President-Elect Joe Biden promises that his administration would oversee the injection of 100 million shots into the arms of Americans within his first 100 days as President. 12.08.20→ According to documents released by the FDA, Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate offers protection after the first dose. 12.08.20→ A man named William Shakespeare becomes the second person to receive the approved COVID-19 vaccine. 12.09.20→ AP-NORC poll finds only half of U.S. citizens want the vaccine. 12.09.20→ Pentagon is expecting 44,000 Covid vaccines as early as 12/16/20. 12.10.20→ Dr. Anthony Fauci says the United States could be back to normal by next summer or fall if everyone gets vaccinated. (CNN) 12.10.20→ FDA commissioner promises staff will consider committee input in considering Pfizer vaccine emergency use authorization. 12.14.20→ National Guard begins distributing Covid vaccine in 26 states and territories. 12.14.20→ New poll finds 84 percent of Americans plan to get Covid vaccine. 01.11.20→ CDC says 9 million Americans are now vaccinated.
January 2021 rustlernews.com
COVID-19
2
by the numbers
People die every minute from COVID-19 in the United States * As of Jan 11
88
million cases worldwide
1.9
million deaths worldwide
mt more than 85,000 cases 1,057 deaths
* As of Jan 11
Cascade County
more than 6,906 cases 119 deaths
* As of Jan 11
4,279
Deaths
The highest number of U.S. deaths in one day. In Comparison
* As of Jan 10
59,000
pop. of Great Falls
x 6.35
2,977 died on 9-11-2001 Deaths 2,403 died at Pearl Harbor on Nationwide Dec. 7, 1941 * As of Jan 11 * As of Jan 6 375,000 people have died in the U.S. since the start of 2020 * As of Jan 11
22.5 million
cases in the U.S
* As of Jan 11
