NEWS

Nurses reset injection stations set up at Woodstock North High School on February 12 after a wave of MCHS teachers, staff members, and administrators received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Photo By: Emma Snyder

MCHS teachers and staff receive first COVID dose

As part of Phase 1B of the Vaccination Enrollment, McHenry County’s educators receive the COVID-19 vaccine

Emma Snyder, News Editor

The teachers and staff of MCHS had the opportunity to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on February 12.

Last Friday, after school, several MCHS personnel headed to Woodstock North High School where a vaccination site set up to distribute shots to teachers and staff. They were vaccinated alongside other teachers and school staff in the area as McHenry County has begun to vaccinate Phase 1B of the Vaccination Enrollment.

Teachers checked in to the vaccination site and proceeded into the gym, where vaccination stations were set up and nurses were ready to distribute the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

After being vaccinated, teachers were sent to a waiting area where they sat for an observation period of at least 15 minutes, as recommended by the CDC.

“It was perfect at the school,” said Jordan Deener, West Campus Spanish instructor, during his observation period. “They’re really quick, efficient, and easy.”

Several other teachers shared similar sentiments about the ease and efficiency of the vaccination process.

“I was very impressed with the process I went through to receive the vaccine,” said Terry Fitzgibbons, associate principal. “The facility was very organized and the staff was prepared to handle the high volume of people coming through to be vaccinated.”

“It was pretty effortless,” said Tamrah Pitz, another West Campus Spanish instructor, after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. “We just walked right in went through each of the stations and it was easy.” While the process of being vaccinated was easy, making the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine was more difficult.

“I decided to receive it because it feels like the right thing to do in order to battle the virus,” said Beth Czubik, West Campus science instructor, who was both excited and cautious about getting the vaccine. “I want to do my part to help protect others and save lives. But it was a tough decision because I would have liked more time to study the vaccine. It does make me nervous that it was fast-tracked and only been approved on an emergency basis.”

The vaccination of teachers and staff comes after a long wait, especially after MCHS transitioned into a hybrid model on January 20. Not being vaccinated before going back to teaching in-person has been challenging for many teachers.

“Everybody’s health and safety is at the forefront of my mind, and trying to plan lessons that incorporate interactive opportunities yet maintain social distance has stretched my creativity,” said Czubik.

Another concern for teachers, has been the health and safety of themselves and their families. Without the insurance of a vaccine, exposure to the virus has been both a worry and a challenge that teachers, staff, and students alike have all had to face.

“It has been challenging primarily because I have an infant at home and I have been worried about potential exposure to COVID-19,” said Natile Murphy, West Campus social science instructor. “My husband and I have been extremely careful since the onset of the pandemic. On the other hand, I have been very impressed with how well the students have complied with school policy regarding mask wearing and safety procedures.”

West Campus teacher Dale Gross provides information to a volunteer minutes before receiving the first dose of his COVID-19 vaccine. 220 MCHS teachers, staff members, and administrators received their vaccine on February 12 at Woodstock North High School.

Photo By: Emma Snyder

However, the long wait for the COVID-19 vaccination has made many teachers appreciative for the opportunity and excited for what this means for the future.

“I was definitely a little nervous about receiving the vaccination, but I am grateful we were given the opportunity,” said Ashley Diedrich, English instructor. “I think we all hope that this step will help school, everything, get back to normal much more quickly.”

“I feel like this is the first step to getting back to some sort of normalcy,” said Fitzgibbons. “I have no reservations about being vaccinated. For me, the decision was very easy. I want to make sure that I can both protect myself from others by not be a risk to the community that I serve and my family.”

The vaccine has also been a symbol of hope for returning to the normalcy of before the pandemic. For teachers, it is a hope-filled milestone towards going back to school in a normal environment.

“This has been such a difficult year for teachers, students and families. Getting teachers vaccinated means we are closer to getting our schools back to normal,” said Stacy Rockweiler, English instructor at West Campus, after being vaccinated. “I can’t wait for the day when we are all back in school together. I also hope that when our community sees teachers getting the vaccine it builds public trust in the vaccine. The more people that get the vaccine, the closer we are to getting back to normal.”

“I have never felt so excited to get a vaccine before,” Rockweiler continued. “I think all of us were feeling some sense of excitement knowing we are doing our part to end this pandemic. It is exciting to know that what we did today is one step closer to making that happen.”

“I am just very grateful that the time has come [to get the vaccine]!” said Marsha Potthoff, principal at West Campus. “It’s a sign that things will get better.”

Teachers and staff who received the COVID-19 vaccine Friday will get their second dose on March 12.

District 156 sent out an email in late January explaining that the district will no longer alert parents or students when there is a new COVID case on either campus.

Photo By: Kennedy Tetour

MCHS stops sending COVID case email alerts

Though the district will update the COVID-19 Dashboard, they have deemed the weekly email “no longer effective”

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor

As the MCHS approaches a year since it closed its doors due to COVID-19, school officials have decided it will no longer email members of the school community about cases of COVID-19 within MCHS.

MCHS used to send out a weekly email detailing if there had been new cases within the school. Earlier this winter, Superintendent Ryan McTague decided, in conjunction with the school nurses and student services, that this weekly email was “no longer effective.”

Instead, they have decided to continue updating the COVID-19 dashboard itself, and now include information such as the individual number of cases between students and staff, whether the cases have come from East or West Campus, and how many of the infected students or staff are now in quarantine.

Due to privacy laws, the dashboard still does not detail who the infected persons are.

Still, if there is a situation where a student is possibly exposed to the virus and needs to be contacted for contact tracing, McTague states that MCHS would send out an email or phone calls to the exposed person regarding this.

In addition to this, McTague also states that if there is a situation where there is an outbreak within the community, MCHS, or certain MCHS programs and extracurriculars, they would also notify the community directly through email or phone call.

Without a weekly reminder, students and parents within the MCHS community will have to remain diligent with checking the updated COVID dashboard themselves to find out information regarding COVID cases at MCHS. The new and improved dashboard can be found by going to the “Our District” tab on the MCHS District 156 website, and scrolling down to the “COVID Resources” link.

Construction of a climbing wall began on the east side of Buckner Gym in early-February. The wall will accommodate the district’s new Adventure Education course. Photo By: Madison Harvey

New projects begin in Buckner Gym

MCHS make changes to its PE facilities as it plans a new Adventure Education course offering

Madison Harvey, Staff Writer

Construction of a climbing wall began on the east side of Buckner Gym in early-February. The wall will accommodate the district’s new Adventure Education course.

Photo By: Madison Harvey

Beginning on Saturday, February 6, construction of a few projects began in Buckner Gym. The gym was previously used primarily for fitness machines and equipment, as well as Strength and Dance classes.

Now, the space will also be used for a brand new physical education class entitled Adventure Education. The class will feature lifelong skills such as archery, mountain biking, camping, water skills, climbing, survival skills, and first aid training.

Construction projects include a rock wall, repelling platform, and a high ropes course. The projects are expected to be completed in 6 weeks, and they will begin to be used in the fall semester of the 2021-22 school year.

MCHS P.E. teacher Jacob Guardalabene explains, “I am really excited about MCHS getting a Rock Wall and an Adventure Ed class. I have been trying to get these at MCHS for the last 9 years.” He also expresses hope to start a rock climbing club in the near future.

Currently, Buckner is still being used for physical education classes, but in limited space. The basketball team also uses the gym for practices. Other activities starting soon plan to use the gym for practices as well.

A few new projects including a rock wall, repelling platform, and high ropes course have begun construction in Buckner gym, which are expected to be complete in six weeks.