Editorials

the verdicts

The Verdict editorial section expresses the collective opinion of the Verde Magazine staff.

Helping essential workers in our community

THOUGH STAYING SAFE By wearing a mask and limiting close restaurant donation pages aids employees through social distancing is our interaction, we can ensure that essential at risk of losing their jobs as detailed in the primary priority, community workers who risk their lives for us every “Restaurant reactions” feature on page 13. solidarity and support is equalday, such as doctors, store clerks and those ly important during this time of crisis. The involved in transportation, stay healthy. Donate and volunteer combined impact of our contributions to Several organizations such as the Ecuessential workers — even in small ways — Support local restaurants menical Hunger Program and Donate Eswill make a difference. Art by The shelter-in-place orsentials take donations from local residents

Verde Magazine enMichelle Kim der in California and distribute masks, toilet paper and discourages everyone to aid has temporarily infectant — which are crucial materials for the local community as closed all nonthe medical workers, families in need and much as possible with essential busithe homeless who receive them. the following steps. nesses. Students in the Bay Area can also pitch Unfortunatein by volunteering to tutor their peers onWear a mask ly, local restaurants line, helping make masks or organizing food

According to the Cenare suffering in particular drives as they shelter in place. ters for Disease Control and from a harsh drop in orders In these challenging times, we thank Prevention, many individuals and revenue, leaving them at risk of everyone who has already taken initiative who carry COVID-19 do not experience closing down permanently. to help others and urge those who can to symptoms but can still transmit it to those While there is a valid concern that contribute their time and resources for the around them before developing classic ordering food increases the risk of coming benefit of the Palo Alto community. v symptoms of illness. into contact with the novel coronavirus,

Thus, Palo Alto now requires by law that individuals wear cloth face coverings Gov. Gavin Newsom has provided guidelines for takeout and delivery regarding safe Scan the QR code on the right to be directed to the City of Palo in public when they are within 6 feet of others — such as in grocery stores and disposal and individual packaging so that consumers are protected from the virus. Alto’s “Volunteer and Donation” page with a full list of programs and donation opportunities. pharmacies. Both buying takeout and publicizing

Despite challenges, teachers continue to support students O N MARCH 13, the Palo Alto Unified School District announced the cancellation of school for just three weeks; online.

“All my teachers have been ... good about laying out expectations and answering ... questions about them,” Ball says. are able to collaborate safely at home.

As the district transitioned to online education over the course of a mere month, most teachers at Palo Alto High School took this sizable hurdle in stride.

“They’ve been really helpful in terms students’ wellbeing include the workload limit of three hours per class every week and the adaptation of certain class formats “ All my teachers have been ... good about laying out expectaso that this time does not go to waste.

With no shortage of grace and effort, Paly teachers and administration have worked hard to provide us with an effective days later, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Other steps highlighting concern for alternative to synchronous in-person classes a statewide shelter-in-place order.

This empathy and patience, as well as requirements. them.” Though the current flexible deadlines, have helped ease strugFor instance, — ELLA BALL, senior system of online learning gles as students make their way through science teachers relyis not yet perfect and tenthis challenging time. ing on hands-on labs are utilizing online sions still exist between members of the Paly

Senior Ella Ball is also thankful for her presentations and interactive simulations community, we should remember to show teachers’ clear communication about exto cover content, while music teachers are gratitude to the teachers who act with stupectations regarding student accountability taking advantage of Zoom so that students dents’ best interests at heart. v

Without this hard work put forth on their part, Paly students would likely be struggling to of having online office hours and being ... to match in-class tions and answering meet their academic goals quick to reply to any questions,” junior Trisha Razdan says. learning and cater to specific educational ... questions about and further their learning during this semester.