news Science building to open in January
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he construction of the new science building at Palo Alto High School will be completed prior to the start of next semester, according to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson. The building, which started construction in July 2019, boasts spacious classrooms. With the expansion of PAUSD+ next semester, the Paly administration is expecting that the rooms will be used to come extent, according to Berkson. Construction was originally scheduled to finish over the summer, but many obstacles unrelated to COVID-19 caused the date to be pushed back, Berkson said. Classes that used to be held in the portables will move into the new building when school reopens. The portables will not be removed for many years due to other construction on campus. The Tower Building will be starting renovations in about a year, Berkson said. by MERWA MAROF
CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION — The new science building is almost complete after over a year of construction. “It’s always exciting when there is a new building on campus, and hopefully when we go back to school I will be able to check it out,” junior Chloe Racliffe said. Photo: Merwa Marof
10 DECEMBER 2020
AUSTIN ANNOUNCES — Superintendent Don Austin discusses plans for Class of 2021’s graduation in a Dec. 1 interview with Verde. Austin is prioritizing an in-person ceremony for seniors. “If we don’t have a graduation ceremony of some kind, not virtual, then it is because we were told it is prohibited by the county, and that it would be violating the law,” Austin said. Photo: Ishani Raha
Austin prioritizes in-person grad
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ALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL District Superintendent Don Austin vows, if COVID circumstances allow, to do what he can to give the Class of 2021 an in-person graduation. Due to the pandemic, Class of 2021 has been forced to complete their last year of high school online. As a result of distance learning, the seniors are not able to participate in many events such as Spirit Week and both proms. “It just makes me sick to my stomach that you guys are missing, essentially half your junior year, an entire senior year,” Austin said. “If we can do anything for you, we are going to do it.” According to Austin, the only reason the Class of 2021 would not be given some kind of graduation ceremony would be due to Santa Clara County health guidelines that prohibit any gatherings. “Anything short of that [guidelines prohibiting gatherings], we will have a ceremony,” Austin said. “It is a top, top priority to me to give you guys an experience.” Although the graduation may not resemble ceremonies held in the past, Austin hopes for the best. “Our intention is to have something
for you that is nice and meaningful,” Austin said. In April, former Palo Alto High School Principal Adam Paulson announced that graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 would be held in December, after students voiced opposition to a virtual June ceremony. Currently, no public gatherings other than explicitly stated exceptions are allowed, meaning the postponed graduation will not be able to occur. Austin is unsure if the Paly graduates are still interested in a graduation ceremony, and is waiting for the high school principals to report back. “I knew in the moment, there was a strong desire to come back in December and have that ceremony,” Austin said. “But my gut told me that strong desire would fade in time.” Marina Brogley (Class of `20) no longer feels the need to have a December graduation. “At this point, I don’t care about having a graduation that much because it’s so late and won’t be special,” Brogley said. by PAISLEY ANNES
