Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Implementing Normalcy State of oklahoma prioritizing safety, easing restricions
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By Jared A’Latorre
The current order in Oklahoma has been extended and it emphasises the state moving forward with the process of opening up schools and businesses.
A new guideline will be that schools will be forgoing the mandatory two-week quarantine period for potential COVID-19 exposures unless they experience symptoms.
The new policy is intended to keep students and teachers safe by still requiring facial coverings, but also keeping our students active in the classroom. “We need to put our students first, and we need to get them back in class,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Refusing to offer in-person school is jeopardizing our kids’ education, it’s jeopardizing teachers’ careers: and it’s jeopardizing the future of Oklahoma.” Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye said that other states have implemented nearly the same policies as this one. “As a physician, I follow the science, and it’s been critical to our COVID-19 response to do so,” Frye said. “But it’s also important to look at factors on the ground, and schools have proven to be one of the safest places for most of our students. Other states such as Missouri, Utah, and Ohio have put similar quarantine policies into place and haven’t seen large outbreaks occur in schools,” Frye said. Frye also stated that general data and the CDC show that other health factors come into play when children are not at school.
“Getting students safely back to in-person learning is critical for their educational success, mental health and social development,” Frye said. “Our public health decisions need to balance all facets of health, and we’re confident this new policy will allow our students to safely thrive in the classroom.” Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce added that he agrees that students need to be in schools, but wishes there were more procedures being implemented. “I appreciate and I agree with the Governor that we want to get back to as much activity as possible as quickly as we can, but, I think some of those things like a mask rule would actually allow us to do that,” Joyce said. With the state and the country at the peak of cases, Joyce would like to see more rules as a way to allow us to be a society to come back normal again. “I’m glad that this order was extended, I think we’re still right at the peak of cases and hospitals and our state is really still right in the middle of a very serious struggle with COVID right now,” Joyce said. News.ed@ocolly.com
6 steps to having a successful spring semester By Amelia Jauregui After an abnormally long break in between semesters, it may be harder than normal to get back into the daily routine of a college student. Especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and yet in person attendance is required, the stress of students may be significantly more intense. However, there are ways in which students can best prepare themselves for a successful semester, even amidst a pandemic.
they expect of you, as well as be prepared for the type of work you will be doing throughout the semester. Printing out your syllabi and putting them in a place where you check them daily will keep you successful.
ships better, as well as hopefully making you more comfortable when you may need to ask for help or for grace down the road.
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Find new or favorite study spots: Everyone studies differently, so Make a weekly it’s important to find a schedule: Having a week- place that works for you. ly schedule that shows Some people like peace all your assignments, due and quiet, some people dates, and commitments like more active and will help you visualize talkative environments. the work that you will Walk around campus need to complete. When and Stillwater in general, you are unsure of the and find new places that stuff you need to do, it is excite you. Feeling good very easy to become be- about your study habits hind in your work, miss will make you an overall Talk to your assignments, or imporbetter student. advisor(s): The job of tant deadlines that are an advisor is to literimportant to your college ally give advice on what success. Reach out to classclasses you should take mates: Especially in a and how to be successful virtual world, it is more as a student. If you are Email professors/ important than ever to unsure about the purvisit office hours: Your still make connections pose of specific classes, professors are here to with other students. By schedule an appointment both teach you and to looking at your canand ask them. There is help you. Most profesvas, you are able to find no harm in getting extra sors, if not all, want other students in your instruction and help from you to be successful in course. If you have in someone whose job is to their classes, but there person classes, especially do just that. are ways you can help reach out and make new yourself out even more, friends, you never know especially in a virtual who you’ll meet that will Print out syllabi: class. Introduce yourself change your life. Every professor is differ- to your professors as ent and each will teach they want to get to know File Photo in their own way. It is their students better. This Students return to campus and prepare for in-person classes for important to know what helps you build relation- News.ed@ocolly.com the Spring 2021 semester
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