N W P
The Northwest Passage
Issue 1 Vol. 52 Sep. 5, 2020
July and August in Photos 8-9
During the longest summer in the history of the school, students prepared for the equally odd fall to come
Will They Play? 14-15
The SMSD Board of Education votes to follow the county Department of Health’s recommendations regarding sports and activities
A Virtual Welcome As school begins remotely, students wonder what the year will bring
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Sept. 5, 2020
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TABLE of CONTENTS
Danger Disagreement
4 OUR PASSAGE:
Columns
5
Uncharted Territory
7
Summer in Photos
8-9
Staff Editorial
New COVID-19 Policies
During the longest summer in the history of the school, students prepared for an equally odd fall to come
10
The Basics
Welcome to Northwest
If Only I Had Known
Upperclassman/Graduate Advice
Performing on a Virtual Stage COVID-19 Effects on Performing Arts
Will They Play?
11
STAFF: PUBLICATION OVERSIGHT: Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief
Rory Dungan Elizabeth Kuffour
CONTENT MANAGEMENT:
12
14-15
Board of Education votes to follow the county Department of Health’s recommendations regarding sports and activities
The purpose of the Northwest Passage is to relay important and interesting information to the community, administration and students of the Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. As a news magazine, the Northwest Passage will cater to the interests and concerns of the student body. Outside concerns and activities will only be covered if they somehow affect the school or students. The Northwest Passage is a 20-page news magazine. The paper will be distributed every four weeks during fourth hour. Subscriptions will be available to the community for $25. The Northwest Passage firmly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. The content of the newspaper will be determined and created by the entire staff. When questions concerning word choice, legal problems or ethics arise, the editorial board and adviser will discuss the problem to find the solution. In these cases, the editor-in-chief and editorial board will have the say in all decisions. Letters to the editor will be accepted and encouraged. The staff reserves the right to edit for grammatical mistakes, length and good taste. Letters may attack policy but not people. In no way will ideas or viewpoints be changed. The editor-in-chief and editorial board reserve the right to refuse any letter.
Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Online Editor Online Editor Design Editor
STAFF WRITERS:
Alex Barfield Yeretzy Blanco Michael Owens Veronica Meiss Olivia Nagorka Morgan Tate
Claire Moore Sophia McCraney Emily Alexander Stella Grist Ruth Demeke Ally Pruente Erin Albers
STAFF DESIGNERS:
Olivia Linville Kasi Maniktala Olivia Nagorka Alden Norberg
ADVISER: Susan Massy
AUGUST 17: GOLF PRACTICE
Junior Sloan Munson swings her driver club Aug. 17 at Tomahawk Hills Golf Course. Munson and her teammates were able to safely practice social distancing while playing their sport. “It’s hard to hear that golf could get cancelled,” Munson said. “But I’m also trying to understand the circumstances of what’s going on right now.” + PHOTO BY CLAIRE MOORE
+ DESIGN BY ERIN ALBERS
NORTHWEST PASSAGE Issue 1 Vol. 52 Sept. 5, 2020
04 | opinion
Sept. 5, 2020
Danger Disagreement Protesting against school board decisions proves futile, since past issues haven’t easily been resolved
Arguments against SMSD school board decisions are made in vain, as coronavirus cases continue to be worrisome to health officials. At the board meeting held on Aug. 24, parents of devastated students and student-athletes argued for the board to reconsider their decision to move classes online and cancel fall sports. In particular, parent Rusty Mudgett made a case for the athletes, who supported from outside of the building. Mudgett addressed the board, arguing that athletes should be able to continue play, but was cut off after three minutes (the allowed time period) and before he finished his speech. He was visibly frustrated as he sat back down. “Please reconsider or modify the use of current gating criteria,” Mudgett said. “This criteria was originally intended to be used by hospitals to estimate potential demands for their resources, not for deciding if kids can go to school and play sports. If the current gating criteria remains in effect for Shawnee Mission, we will never achieve the less than five percent positive tests required to play.” Frustration seems to be a theme among athletes and the parents who represent them – but as they continue to protest, their pleas are not likely to change the decision made by the school board. Earlier this month, the school board decided to start middle and high school classes completely online on Sept. 8. This is the date students were originally supposed to return to the building for inperson learning. In addition, the board banned all fall sports for the time being. The SMSD reopening plan is based on the Johnson County school reopening gating criteria. Since Johnson County will be in the ‘red zone’ on Sept. 8, only remote learning is authorized. Sports follow the same criteria – in the ‘red zone,’ team practice and games are not permitted. The documented plan for reopening SMSD high school states that “the Reopening School Plan guides staff in developing building-wide systems and procedures that are in alignment with recommended health and safety protocols.” The district promises continued support for students. Still, for parents who continue to protest, the district’s plan and
reassurances are not enough. This presents a separate challenge for the school board, which is already scrambling to find a solution for schooling during the pandemic. “This is a difficult time in America,” superintendent Dr. Mike Fulton said. “We all want to have what we’re used to, what’s normal in our lives. The faster that we can return to that, the better. Our challenge is trying to do that in a way that keeps students and staff, families and communities safe.” The district is facing immense pressure from parents, many of whom think that online schooling is not adequate for their children. Following last semester’s online learning situation, in which students were not required to attend classes, there seems to be little hope for the success of remote classes. Telling students that their grades would not suffer and could only improve was supposed to ease fears, but in reality allowed students to ease themselves out of their classes. There are also concerns about the mental and emotional health of the developing teens, especially with the cancellation of sports. Despite the stream of concerns, it seems that the decision made to close down all activities will prevail. Moving forward, we can only hope that decisions made by the board will be in response to advice from health professionals. Students must remember that, in order for our school to safely open, COVID-19 cases in Johnson County must be declining. The number of positive cases must be below 10 percent. Whether anybody likes it or not, the protocol for SMSD reopening is science-based and, so far, unwavering. The board may listen to speeches advocating for the return of in-person learning, and see rallies of student-athletes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will change their course. In the meantime, preventative measures can, and should, always be taken to slow the spread of COVID-19. Follow recommended guidelines, such as wearing a mask in public and when social distancing isn’t possible. Try to avoid situations in which staying six feet away from others isn’t an option. All you can do is do your part in stopping the virus, so everything can be normal sooner.
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for
LET US PLAY
WE N EED IN-P ERS ON LEAR NING
against
+ DESIGN BY KASI MANIKTALA *6 ABSTAINED FROM VOTING
E R A S T R SPO RIGHT THE ICE CHO
FREED OM OVER UR O N FEAR OPE LS! O
O SCH
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opinion| 05
A Not-so-Normal Senior Year
+DESIGN BY KASI MANIKTALA
This school year is going to be far from normal, and all you can do is keep a positive mindset Ever since I started high school, I could not wait to be a senior. I vividly remember twirling around my room pretending I was dancing the night away at my senior +BY EMILY ALEXANDER Copy Editor prom. I could not wait to rush the court after winning the spirit stick at my last assembly, be engulfed by the impeccable energy of the student section at my last high school football game or feel the warm embraces of my teammates, my freshman sister and my parents on my softball senior night. Now that it is finally here, I have to face the heartbreaking reality that my last year as a cougar might not be as pictureperfect as I had hoped. It is incredibly difficult for me to fathom that I am getting ready to kickstart my final year of high school. It honestly feels like yesterday I was pairing my favorite light purple tee shirt with a super high ponytail held back by a black Nike headband for the first day of freshman year. But now
here I am struggling to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m starting to apply to colleges and becoming a legal adult in less than a month. If someone came up to me and said that March 13 of my junior year could potentially be my last normal, in-person day of high school, I’d have called them crazy. Little did I know that my junior year would come to screeching halt as a result of a worldwide pandemic that would completely change my high school experience. Five months later, I’m preparing to start my senior year learning behind a computer screen in my own bedroom. Just about every student in America right now faces the possibility of only setting foot in a real classroom a handful of times this year. Colleges such as (insert colleges here) have already decided to pursue exclusively online learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Students are also being faced with the idea of not being able to enjoy the things that really make the high school experience. A few districts such as Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools have voted to suspend all
sports for the fall season. Who knows how long it will be before the Shawnee Mission School District follows in their footsteps. The strict rules and regulations created by the Coronavirus pandemic such as social distancing, facial coverings and limited social gatherings make it basically impossible for events like assemblies, games and school dances to take place. To put it plainly, it sucks. The whirlwind of tragic events that took place within the first few months of 2020 placed the idea of a normal senior year way out of reach for both the class of 2020 and the class of 2021. However, I’ve come to the realization that there isn’t much we can do at this point. As cheesy as it sounds, we really just need to keep pushing through these tough times. Constantly wishing things were different is only going to make the situation seem worse. The best way to look at the situation we’re in is as a learning experience. So, my final message to my fellow seniors is, do everything in your power to enjoy your final year while it lasts. The best thing we can do is make the most of it. All that is left to say now is let the not so normal school year begin.
“Little did I know that my junior year would come to screeching halt as a result of a worldwide pandemic that would completely change my high school experience.”
— Emily Alexander
The Comic Book: America’s Most Overlooked Art Form
While seen by many as a vessel simply for superhero tales, comics are so much more than meets the eye Whether it’s the action packed adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s Superman that played over the radio waves in the early 20th century which gripped the nation +BY ALEX BARFIELD Staff Writer like nothing before, or the iconic Peanuts television series that shot buckets full of humor into homes across the country, or even the massively popularity and overwhelming successful comic book adapted Marvel Cinematic Universe films that have completely changed the trajectory of Hollywood in the modern age, the comic book has consistently held a steady influence over the sphere of American pop culture through radio, television and cinema. But unfortunately, the comic books themselves have all but vanished from the view of the average modern American consumer. The lack of popularity for comic books among the average Joe can be attributed to a variety of factors. It could be due to the fact that the
only places where new comics are distributed to are small mom and pop comic shops (for the most part), or it could be because it is generally more feasible in this day and age for someone to just turn on Netflix and and pop on a show, than to try to find time during the day to sit down and read. But I believe that the largest hinderer to the success of the comic book industry is due to the public’s misappropriation of comics as simply just basic, bland superhero action comics, commonly referred to in the industry as “cape comics.” Almost every time I’ve recommended the idea of reading comics in conversation, I usually get a response ranging from “They still make comics?” To “I don’t like superheroes.” Most people tend to not realize that the modern comics market isn’t just made up of cookie- cutter-like guys in costumes punching each other for 36 pages, but rather a whole world filled with a multitude of genres, poignant characters and angelic art. To truly understand how many ridiculously creative and diverse stories exist, you can just take a glimpse at some of the titles being put out by the industries’
most popular indie publisher, Image Comics. First off, you have Brian K. Vaughn’s story, Paper Girls, a tale set in the late 80’s during Halloween focused on a curious cast of four 12 year old girls trying to decipher and uncover strange events happening in their hometown. You also have John Layman’s Chew, a story about a police detective who can see the memories of anything he eats whether it’s beef or human flesh, and uses his unique skills to navigate through the seedy underbelly of the city he’s staffed at, brought to life by quirky and strange art of Rob Guillory. And over at one of the biggest publishers, DC Comics, you have Tom King’s Mister Miracle, which is a story about a superhero dealing with PTSD and depression, while trying to balance his role in an intergalactic war, with his duties as a husband and father. King manages to create a story that invokes both the tears of sadness and the laughter of joy, with the help of the almost schizophrenic, watercolor art of Mitch Gerads. With these three books as a representation, it’s pretty blatant that there is a lot more to the modern day comic book, than the general public is aware of.
“The comic book has consistently held a steady influence over the sphere of American pop culture through radio, television and cinema.”
— Alex Barfield
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21640 Midland Dr. Shawnee, KS 66218 (913) 422-1900
Sept. 4, 2020
Dr. Kimberly Flaming
Sept. 30, 2020
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07 | news
Uncharted Territory
Students and teachers prepare as the school year begins in the remote mode + STORY BY STELLA GRIST
Schedules for Remote Learning:
After debates in the community, a district-wide survey and several board meetings, the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) has decided to start the upcoming school year entirely on-line for all grade levels. With concerns arising from students after 4th quarter’s remote learning experience, this year will be different. The Johnson County gating criteria mandated that all students participate in remote learning after the county’s positive test rate had risen above 10% and remained steady as of Aug. 29. If less than 10% of tests had been positive and were steady or decreasing, students who chose the in-person learning option would be in a hybrid model and, if less than five percent of tests were positive and were steady or decreasing, students would be allowed to return to the fully in-person model. Although the school year will begin entirely remotely, principal Lisa Gruman hopes to keep some of Northwest’s traditions intact, as well as ensure the success of the rest of the student body. “As we launch learning in the remote mode, we want to make sure that we keep some of those special moments and events,” Gruman said. “For our freshman first day, we still have a Link Crew portion to that program with an on-line curriculum. For the seniors, a lot of that is going to be the college planning sessions they would have had with their counselors… Those are our first two groups to come back on Tuesday. Then everybody will be ready to roll with their live class sessions through WebEx.” All classes will be taught synchronously, meaning all students will be doing their on-line work following a schedule of class sessions, similar to the in-person schedule prior to the pandemic and will take the form of daily, live instruction classes through WebEx. “We won’t have students logged in [on WebEx] for the whole 90 minutes of the class period. That would be seven hours on the screen,” Gruman said. “But there will be live instruction, it could be 25 minutes, it could be 45 minutes. Then you’ll then go do your [other] work.” One thing that will look different from last year’s remote learning is the Canvas learning management system. Canvas, a learning tool often used by colleges and university, puts learning, the WebEx connection and grades all in one place. Switching to this tool may help students remain organized while being entirely on-line. “I think it’s very user friendly,” Gruman said. “Each of your classes will have a module on your homepage. A task list [appears] on the side, along with a calendar and a WebEx link.... It’s really kind of one stop shopping.” Although the 2020-21 school year will look different from previous one, student groups and teachers are working to make it as memorable as possible and to keep the NW sense of community alive. “I’m excited because… we’re really trying to preserve some of the things like Freshman First Day [and clubs],” Gruman said. “We know it won’t be quite the same, but we still want to be connected as a NW community. That’s so important for us to continue to feel like we have those connections with each other… We’re not going to lose that.”
JoCo Gating Criteria
RED
Previous 14 days show ≤15% percent positive tests and steady or decreasing new cases
Elementary: in
person following safeopening principles Secondary: Remote only
Sports & Extra Curricular: Remote
YELLOW
Previous 14 days show ≤10% positive tests and steady or decreasing new cases
Monday/ Wednesday 7:40-9:10 1st Period 9:15-10:45 2nd Period 10:50-12:20 3rd Period 12:20-12:50 Lunch 12:55-1:05 Seminar - TCB 1:10-2:40 4th Period Tuesday/Thursday 7:40-9:10 5th Period 9:15-10:45 6th Period 10:50-12:50 7th Period 12:20-12:50 Lunch 12:55-1:05 Seminar - TCB 1:10-2:40 Seminar 7:40-8:30 8:35-9:25 9:30-10:20 10:25-11:15 11:20 - 12:10 12:15-12:40 12:40-12:50 12:55-1:45 1:50-2:40
Elementary: in per-
son following safe-opening principles Secondary: Hybrid
Sports & Extra Curricular: No high risk* sports or events
Friday
1st Period 2nd Period 3rd Period 4th Period 5th Period Lunch Seminar - TCB 6th Period 7th Period
GREEN
Previous 14 days show ≤5% positive tests and steady or decreasing new cases
Elementary & Secondary: in person following safe-opening principles
Sports & Extra Curricular: in person following safe principles
*High risk: sports that involve close, sustained contact between participants
+ DESIGN BY ERIN ALBERS
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Upcoming Events
STORY BY RORY DUNGAN +DESIGN BY OLIVIA LINVILLE All scheduled events are at risk of cancellation due to COVID-19. Check your email regularly for updates on school-sponsored events.
SEPT. 7
LABOR DAY Sept. 8
Grades 9 and 12 start sept. 9
grades 10 and 11 start sept. 12
ACT test sept. 17
Back to SCHOOL NIGHT sept. 18
How will you use your last day of summer? No school today. See you tomorrow, seniors and freshmen!
Grades K-6, 7, 9 & 12 begin school today. Sophomores and juniors, you get to sleep in one more day..
Sept. 5, 2020
July and A
AUGUST 19: CHEER PRACTICE
Practicing a new cheer, junior Destyni Meadows sits with the rest of the team on the football field with her head back Aug. 19 on the SM Northwest practice field. The squad was required to wear masks to and from practice and fill out a google form with questions about whether or not they were following COVID precautions every day. “I felt completely safe during tryouts and practice,” Meadows said. “The coaches made sure we had hand sanitizer and washed our hands.”
+DESIGN BY OLIVIA LINVILLE
PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
Grades 8, 10 and 11 will begin their online classes. Check your email for updates about logging into Canvas. Check your email for updatesThe test will be held at Northwest in various classrooms.
For the first time, BackTo-School Night will be a virtual event. Watch your email for details
No School
Grades K-12 will have the day off while teachers receive more training. Enjoy your day, students!
CANCELLED events
Freshman Mixer: was Aug. 14 Back to School Night: was Aug. 20 Bonfire Assembly :was Aug. 27
AUGUST 24: PROTEST
Just prior to the Shawnee Mission School Board’s meeting at the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA), a NW parent holds a sign encouraging board members to reconsider their decision to cancel fall sports. Just prior to the meeting, the Board held a listening session to allow students, parents and teachers to express their opinions regarding the decision to follow Johnson County’s gating criteria. That criteria indicated the county was in the red zone with an infection rate of more than 10%. In the red zone, all student activities are cancelled and classes are held online for high school and middle school students. PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
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smnw.com
August in Photos
AUGUST 18: DRUMLINE
Sophomore Frank Tomasic plays the snare drum outside of the school building. Before the suspension of fall sports, drumline had a few in-person sessions that required social distancing and masks. “These changes have had a large impact on drumline and it makes me sad that we aren’t able to practice anymore,” Tomasic said. “We’re hoping we can organize a practice session sometime in the near future.” PHOTO BY JOSIE TORRES
JULY 15: DIPLOMA PICK UP
Inside the front office doors, graduate Ashley Brull is handed her diploma. Instead of walking across a stage at graduation, seniors and their families parked in the east circle drive and walked inside the doors to receive their diplomas and take pictures. PHOTO BY ERIN DORY.
AUGUST 19 GIRLS’ TENNIS
At the base line, sophomore Olivia Niemann serves to a teammate during practice at the SM Northwest tennis courts. The players focused on aiming their serves into the correct box. PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
Sept. 5, 2020
10 | feature
THE
BASICS + DESIGN BY OLIVIA LINVILLE
COUNSELORS: Academic A-E Rick Rogers F-L David Mesh M-ROB Marybeth Green ROC-Z Jessica Andrade Social A-L M-Z
Robin Sutton Melissa Osborn
REMOTE MODE BELL SCHEDULE: Monday and Wednesday
Tuesday and Thursday
Hour 1: 7:40-8:30 a.m.
Hour 1: 7:40-9:10 a.m.
Hour 5: 7:40-9:10 a.m.
Hour 2: 8:35-9:25 a.m
Hour 2: 9:15-10:45 a.m.
Hour 6: 9:15-10:45 a.m.
Hour 3: 9:30-10:20 a.m.
Hour 3: 10:50-12:20 p.m.
Hour 7: 10:50-12:50 p.m.
Hour 4: 10:25-11:15 a.m.
Lunch: 12:20-12:50 p.m.
Lunch: 12:20-12:50 p.m.
Hour 5: 11:20-12:10 p.m.
Seminar/TCB: 12:55-1:05 p.m.
Seminar/TCB: 12:55-1:05 p.m.
Lunch: 12:15-12:40 p.m.
Hour 4: 1:10-2:40p.m.
Seminar: 1:10-2:40p.m.
Stand up, we are the Northwest Cougars Kings of mountain, plain and shore, We are the Shawnee Mission Cougars, May our minds and hearts triumphant soar, United stand we arm in arm, We raise our banners to fore, Remember, we are the Northwest Cougars, Cougars now and evermore!
Seminar/TCB: 12:4012:50 p.m. Hour 6: 12:55-1:45 p.m. Hour 7: 1:50-2:40 p.m.
EXCUSED ABSENCES: 1. Personal Illness: (Doctor/Dental/Medical appointments) The school may, with notice to the parent, require verification from a physician that the student had an appointment 2. Serious illness or death of a family member
SCHOOL SONG:
Friday
3. Obligatory religious observances 4. Emergency situation requiring immediate action 5. Participation in as a Kansas State High School Activities Association activity, a district approved function or a school sponsored activity 6. A n absence that has been requested in writing and approved in advance by the administration
NAMES TO KNOW: Principal: Dr. Lisa Gruman Associate Principals: Connie Springfield Eddie LyDay Jack Johnson Nurse: Salina Rucker
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: School Office: 913-993-7200 Athletic Office: 913-993-7400 Attendance Office: 913-993-7245
All Day Absence Line: 993-7245 Arriving Late or Leaving Early: 993-7242 Bookkeeper: 913-992-7210
Athletic Director: Angelo Giacalone Receptionist: Mary Akagi Bookkeeper: Kathy Nicholson Librarian: Meghan Stigge Attendance: Jamie Prosser
feature |11
smnw.com STORY BY ELLA KUFFOUR + DESIGN BY RYLEE GARRETT
If only i had known... “Be yourself always. Do what makes you happy and don’t lean on others to step out of your comfort zone. Most of the best memories are made unexpectedly!”
Advice from seniors and graduates “Four years seems like a long time, but it goes by so fast. Don’t be afraid to try new things! Northwest has so much diversity and there’s people, clubs and classes that will make you feel like this place is your second home.”
“Study for your tests! At least a day ahead of time.”
— senior nessie Gragg
— senior HADLEY PATTON
“Get involved in as much as possible and enjoy high school. It will go by way too fast!”
— senior Olivia Waren
“Do not wait until you are an upperclassman to be your true self. The sooner you realize who you are, the sooner you will be happy and be able to love yourself.”
— senior KATIE ASSEL
“People will change during high school, and so will your friend groups. Be willing to make new friends, and surround yourself with those who will push you toward your goals, not those who will try and draw you away from them.”
— SEnior COLBY JOHNSTON
“Don’t be afraid to talk to people in grades above you! You never know, they may become your closest friends throughout high school.”
“Grades are more important than you think and your GPA matters 110 percent. Getting involved is great advice, but staying on top of grades and not letting clubs take away from that is one of the most important things.”
— Kate Rivera CLass of 2020
—senior zoe newcomb
— Ki Nilges Class of 2020
“I think it’s important to know that things don’t have to go as planned but always work out.”
“Be yourself no matter what. Have fun and enjoy the moments and memories you make throughout the years.”
— senior Sarah Milks
— SENIOR Ty Black
“Whether it’s sports or a club, it’s important and so much fun to be involved in your school. You get the chance to meet new people and have more experiences that will make your time at Northwest so much more enjoyable.”
— senior L’leana Jones
12 | feature
Sept. 5, 2020
PERFORMING ON A VIRTUAL STAGE NW’s performing arts groups face challenges brought on by COVID-19 + STORY BY MORGAN TATE
The five performing arts teachers were worried; the new year was approaching and COVID-19 had shut down all traditional performing arts, because of the large crowds and performers in close contact. These teachers knew they had to make some changes if they wanted to see the arts live on at Northwest.
Orchestra
Orchestra teacher Brittany Wasko was troubled, though her troubles weren’t as bad as her fellow teachers. She still had to make sure the orchestra complied with social distancing regulations and still have them all play together as a group. “We are used to sitting very close to each other so it’s easy to hear and play together,” Wasko said, “This year we will be following social distancingso there will be a learning curve for our new setup.” But while school is on-line, Wasko thinks there is a good way to practice music while everyone is at home. Practicing is difficult because doing something live over Webex doesn’t end well. The inherent lag in the program creates huge problems. “We will be meeting live to learn new material,” Wasko said, “While we can’t play simultaneously virtually, there are still ways we can play online by using websites and apps that facilitate recordings.”
Theater
Theater teacher Jason Coats was concerned because performances require people to be together. He knew COVID-19 would directly affect all aspects of production. Offstage, it would affect the sharing of costumes and mics, as well as moving in small crowded areas like the wings, the area that connects the backstage to the stage. Even changes apparent to the audience would be massive. “The biggest changes would
be in the staging,” Coats said. “Choreography would need to be individualized so that each person could perform in their own ‘bubble’ so to speak,
“If social distancing is still a required protocol, all blocking [movement of actors and set pieces] would need to accommodate that.” — Jason Coats, director facing the same direction, etc.” But with the near future being mostly virtual, Coats has needed more specific plans so the show could still go on. “I will be working with our administrators to explore several possible options,” Coats said. “These include, but certainly are not limited to, looking for plays that have been written or adapted for virtual environments, using public domain literature and/or possibly revising the traditional theater season schedule.”
Choir
Singing has been deemed one of the highest risk activities for spreading COVID-19. When in-person, choir students will have to sing with masks on and be socially distanced. Which will be a huge challenge for choir teacher Cassie Banion. “One of the things we will be doing differently is singing with masks on,” Banion said, “[That] will make it very difficult to encourage good breathing techniques and trying to show good vowels. We’ll have to be socially
distanced like everyone else, which will make it really difficult to hear one another sing. With the mask on everyone will sound a bit more muffled.” One of the hardest parts of the virtual transition will be singing as group on-line. The lag over most services like Zoom and Webex makes singing together on-line tough. While she figures out what to do if school is remains on-line, Banion is trying to work around these issues for the first weeks of school. “I was planning on spending the first few weeks of choir getting to know one another,” Banion said, “[We will need to get] to know everyone’s voices, and teaching the students the different digital resources we would be using throughout the year.”
Band
Band teachers Ann Snead and Douglas Talley are worried, Real worried the brass and woodwind instruments students play are considered hazards because like singing they also spray aerosols that could spread COVID-19. But the district has been looking into devices that could help make sure playing a trumpet or clarinet is not a hazard for anyone. These devices work as covers so sound can be heard but the aerosols aren’t spread. “I don’t know what they’re gonna do for flute players,” Talley said. “But I do know schools have been looking into this thing called a headjoint, the place that you blow into the flute is inside the mask. Brass players will have covers for the bells, they aren’t solid but they’re more of a mesh. There’s this one crazy lookin’ thing for the clarinets called the clarinet bag and the clarinets inside of it along with the player’s hands.” One of the biggest questions being asked by band members is about the fate of the
While the school year is online, drama teacher Jason Coats must find alternate methods of performance for his students. He announced the drama season on Friday which includes both virtual and in-person alternatives. As performance-based classes and organizations, choir, orchestra and marching band all face similar challenges. + PHOTO BY ABIGAIL ROBERTS
marching band. That mostly depends on when sports will happen, whether there will be sports at all and if crowds will be allowed. “I’m not sure if we’ll have a marching band,” Snead said. “You know, we don’t know if they’re gonna have football. If they have football, we don’t know if they’re gonna allow spectators. If there are no spectators, there is no one to perform for. Marching band is up in the air right now.” Like all the other disciplines, putting together on-line classes and performances will be difficult but Snead has some ideas that may work. Specialized tracks to keep everyone’s tempo the same while playing in different places and editing together all the recordings to put together a virtual performance could be utilized. “It’s a lot of work, to put a virtual group together,” Snead said. “I don’t even know how
to do it.” --These teachers are worried, but they say as long as everyone’s safe and they get to perform even once, their classes will be a success for their students — and the teachers. “If we are to call this year a success,” Banion said, “we will have the opportunity to make music in some capacity. Whether that’s on-line or in-person, I don’t know. But we’ll get to make some music, and everybody will get through this year. I will tell you at this point in time. If we get to do something beyond that. That’s all icing on the cake.” To see the video announcement of the drama season, go to https:// youtu.be/YXASG_Dkg6Y Start at the 6-minute mark.
+ DESIGN BY OLIVIA NAGORKA
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14 | sports
Sept. 5, 2020
SMSD BOARD’S DECISION STIRS UP NOISE IN THE DISTRICT Board of Education votes to follow the county Department of Health’s recommendations regarding sports and activities STORY BY MIKE OWENS +DESIGN BY OLIVIA NAGORKA
“Gating Criteria.” These two words became part of everyone’s vocabulary on July 29 when the Johnson County Health Department released public health recommendations for K-12 schools to help families and school districts make decisions about the fall. School district leaders in four of the five Johnson County school districts have treated the criteria a starting point for them to begin working on a plan to send students back to school safely while allowing activities and sports. The Gating Criteria (https://www.jocogov.org/schoolreopening-criteria) suggested different requirements based on the ages of the students. Elementary schools would be permitted to hold classes in person even when positive COVID-19 tests were at 10-15% — the “red” stage in the county’s model. Middle and high schools would move to fully remote learning at that point, because high school students can spread the virus as easily as adults. The gating criteria also categorized sports according to risk. Sustained close contact sports such as football, wrestling and competitive cheer were labeled high risk, while other sports such as cross country and individual swimming are considered low risk. All sports in the Shawnee Mission School District, following the gating criteria, have been suspended until further notice.The next gating criteria update will be Tuesday. “My hope is everyone in the community continues to take this seriously and follows the guidance that has been brought to them of wearing masks, keeping social distancing and washing your hands,” athletic director Angelo Giacalone said. “[This will allow us to see] a decrease in the numbers, giving education, including athletics and activities, an opportunity to compete.” Giacalone has been working with administrators along with other athletic directors to safely bring students back to school as well as to participate in sports and activities. “I believe that Dr. Fulton, the SMSD cabinet and
AUGUST 24: PROTEST Standing on the sidewalk near the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA), seniors Duke Henke, Ty Blecha, and Albert Hoelting’s sing asks the district to reinstate the football season or allow the season to be played in the spring in response to the district’s decision to suspend all fall sports. The players stood in front of the building in hopes to catch the eyes of the board members as they walked by on their way to the meeting later that night. +PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
school board have worked hard to get the science, research and data from medical experts in doing what they believe is in the best interest of our most precious resource—all our students,” Giacalone said. Giacalone also commended those who are affected by COVID-19 for remaining diligent during a time that is difficult for them, but warns of the consequences of becoming desensitized to the situation. “I am proud of our student-athletes who, under a supervised environment, adhered to the guidelines set forth by knowledgeable coaches,” Giacalone said. “At the same time,it isn’t always how you act when someone is watching. Sometimes it is the way you act when others
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Dr. Fulton and the cabinet will continue to evaluate date and make the best decision for SMSD and the students who attend. —athletic director Angelo Giacalone
aren’t around. Somebody could be doing things right 99 out of 100 times, but the one time they do something wrong could prove costly.” The last official day for SMSD students to participate in practices and activities was Aug. 21, and students will wait more than a month until the next gating criteria update. Students in all surrounding school districts except KCK continue to practice and participate in activities and sports. Shawnee Mission student-athletes expressed their views August 24 at a rally outside of the Center for
Academic Achievement, just prior to the board’s regular meeting the same day. After Blue Valley School District’s decision to set aside the Johnson County gating criteria and created their own, athletes pressured district officials to do the same. “I’m sad that we are not able to play,” junior defensive end Kael Farkes said. “I work year round for three months of the year. I miss the drive, dedication and structure given to me by my teammates and coaches.” Junior Lincoln Bartelt, a varsity cross country runner and track athlete, agreed. “The news of a suspended fall sports season is disappointing for sure, especially since runners haven’t been able to have an actual season since last fall,” Bartelt said. Senior varsity tennis player Grace Rippee found it difficult to give up the positive aspects of being part of a team. “I am not thrilled about the board’s decision, but nevertheless I was able to spend an amazing four days with my team, filled with words of encouragement, smiles and laughter from a team that was excited about the upcoming year,” Rippee said. “Even if the future is undecided, I am very hopeful that we will get to play. Saying goodbye to tennis means saying goodbye to a community of amazing girls who uplift and support each other.” Quarterback Ty Black has a deep family connection to the sport which makes the board’s decision seem harsher. “I knew it would be a tough decision to make for SMSD,” Black said. “It’s frustrating because it would’ve been, I believe, our best football season yet. The seniors can’t play their senior year and I can’t play [for] my dad anymore.” Senior offensive lineman Easton Dubbert was excited that the entire team was ready to succeed. “It is sickening considering how hard the entire team has worked to get to this point,” Dubbert said. Even more pressure has been placed on the board after the Desoto School District voted to opt out of the Johnson County gating criteria follow the KSHSAA Considerations for a Return to School Activities.(http://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/ KSHSAAReturntoAct-General.pdf) “Dr. Fulton and the cabinet will continue to evaluate the data and, based off that, will make the best decision for SMSD and the students who attend,” Giacalone said. “You never can compare two districts because there are many varying factors.”
smnw.com
sports |15 AUGUST 24: PROTEST
Chanting “let us play,” sophomore Malik O’Atis stands alongside his teammates Aug. 24 at the CAA. Football teams from all of the SMSD high schools wore their jerseys and lined the sidewalk in front of the building for the protest. +PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
AUGUST 24: PARENT PROTEST
Holding up homemade signs, parents and siblings of SMSD students gather in the parking lot Aug. 24 at the CAA. +PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
Personally speaking...
LET THEM PLAY +AN OPINION BY MIKE OWENS
AUGUST 24: SPEAKING TO THE PRESS
Senior Jillian Meister is interviewed by 41 Action News Aug. 24 at the CAA. Meister’s main message was talking about the negative effects on mental health that will come without school and sports. “Talking to the news was nerve wracking but really important as well,” Meister said. “I felt like I was speaking for all the atheletes and people that want to go back to school. +PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
Athletes were told that if they wore masks, social distanced, split their time in the weight room up and followed all the guidelines and protocols, they would get the opportunity to play and compete. Last month, coaches with tears in their eyes had to go to their players, all of whom had been working hard for months the season that was just about to start and say, “Sorry, there are seven people who don’t believe that having a season is worth the risk.” Any athlete who steps onto a competitive field, court, course or track takes on a certain level of risk. As athletes, they choose to take that risk. How is this any different? Why can’t the Shawnee Mission School Board let athletes and their families decide what level of risk they are willing to tolerate. The district says they will watch other districts and learn from them. With the recent reinstatement of fall sports in the neighboring Blue Valley and Desoto school districts, I guess we will see what our school board has learned when they meet on Monday. Football, specifically, is more than a game, and more than just a team. It stands for family, friends and much bigger ideas. It stands for school pride and a connection to the community that no other sport brings. By taking football away, the motivation of athletes who keep their grades up to only maintain eligibility will likely slip resulting in a significant decrease in their willingness to work academically. Those lower grades could result in the loss of a potential college education for students – something the district says they value so highly — as well as a loss of scholarship opportunities... all because the district is afraid to let us play.
“Football is what I’ve done my whole life. That’s how I plan to pay for college.” Senior Justin Mitchell speaks to a channel 41 reporter during the protest just prior to the August 24 Board of Education meeting
+ PHOTO BY ERIN DORY
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