PARK HIGH SCHOOL FOCUS FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR

During late spring, The Journal had three administrators from South Washington County Schools (SWCS) reflect on the 2020-2021 school year. Principals Laura Loshek, Scott Harold Jr., and Todd Herber revealed how Grey Cloud Elementary, Cottage Grove Middle, and Park High School were impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. They identified the obstacles that their institutions encountered. Uncooperative technology, declining mental health, instructors needing to take on new positions, constantly rearranging classrooms for social distancing, stress among teachers, lack of personal connection, and adapting quickly to abrupt revisions on state guidance are just a portion of the challenges that Cottage Grove schools faced.

Now, SWCS is shifting their gaze to the 2021-2022 school year. Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan has expired and SWCS is returning to full capacity. Additionally, most of the health and safety precautions that were normalized last year will not be taken this year. (This is subject to change. COVID-19 infection rates, state and federal requirements or recommendations could reintroduce the practices.) Park High School (PHS) has voiced their intentions for the 2021-2022 school year in a newsletter posted on August 6. After a year of illness and inconsistency, PHS is investing a profound amount of attention into the mental and relational health of all students.

The following message was written by Principal of PHS Todd Herber: “We are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2021-22 school year! Our focus for the school year at Park High School will be: ‘RECOVER, RESPOND, REIMAGINE; How are the students….’ We recognize the challenges faced by students families and staff last year. Our priority is to support our students in reconnecting with each other and with our staff. I do not view last year as a lost year, rather a year where many amazing things happened in spite of all the challenges associated with the pandemic and emergency learning. Our Staff is committed to supporting students as they become reacquainted with a more normalized course and daily schedule. We have been planning multiple ways to support students.”

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Through a freshmen orientation, an orientation for select 10-12 graders, and mentoring, PHS will adhere to their theme.

To begin with, the 9th Grade Orientation will unfold on August 31. That date is the first day of school for PHS freshmen. During 9th Grade Orientation, freshmen will gather with their assigned LINK CREW group. Each team will consist of several other kids their age and two leaders in grades 11 and/or 12. Next, “fun and engaging” activities will take place. Shortly after, 9th graders will learn about PHS’s ICC (Integrity, Commitment, Compassion) Values. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions about high school. PHS’s “Welcome Newsletter” indicated the significance of their 9th Grade Orientation: “The purpose of this style of orientation is to provide our incoming 9th grade students with support as they transition to Park High School.”

As the school welcomes incoming freshmen, they will be greeting some students in grades 10-12. The “Welcome to Park High School” event is scheduled for August 31. It will begin at 1pm and last until 2:30pm. Invited to the afternoon are three sorts of sophomores, juniors, and seniors: transfer students, those who are new to South Washington County, and last year’s PHS Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) participants who have never attended campus. During the program, attendees will meet the student ICC Ambassadors and staff at PHS. Additionally, they will view a presentation about their new school. They will have the chance to interact with a student panel, too. Finally, the new 10-12 graders will tour the PHS campus.

Alongside orientation information, PHS pledged to acknowledge any emotions relating to apprehension. “We will work with students to rebuild their skills around appropriate socialization, working in groups, working individually, working with staff, and self-advocacy skills to support them in their transition back to full time face-to-face learning at Park High School,” states the Welcome Newsletter.

In the 2020-2021 school year, many relationships were disoriented. PHS aspires to reverse this disheartening reality immediately. “The focus during the first few days of school is building connections with our students and our students with each other,” PHS claims. “…We will provide students with a framework that will support them academically, emotionally, and socially. We will do this through a variety of activities they will experience with their classroom teachers.”

Compared to the 20202021 school year, few COVID-19 precautions will be enforced initially. SWCS last revised their health and safety rules on July 6. The Journal has recorded a portion of them:

• Face masks are optional for staff and students of all ages “unless state or federal rules make them a requirement,” SWCS insisted.

• The CDC has mandated masks for all users of public transportation. “This means students must wear a face covering for all situations… in which they are boarding a school bus or other district transportation.”

• Minnesota does not require social distancing in schools any longer.

• COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended by public health officials. Families are to contact their school’s health office if they need help securing vaccines.

At the top of the 20212022 school year, families may not recognize certain adults associated with PHS. That is because over a dozen of individuals have been added to their staff. The newhires are Marisa Boatman (Paraprofessional), Amanda Czepa (Orchestra Teacher), Chad Fleck (Science and Intervention Teacher), Rick Frykland (Social Studies Teacher), Itzel Guajardo (Business Teacher), Heidi Hegstrom (Paraprofessional), Ellen Kramer (Special Education Teacher), Sharon Ngassa (Promise Fellow), Chris Osland (Industrial Technology Teacher), Robert Pearson (Adaptive Physical Education Teacher), Nicole Thompson (Paraprofessional), Annaliese Weiss (School Nurse), Emily Wentz (School Psychologist), Lee Wignall (Science Teacher), Melissa Wood (Special Education Teacher), and Sandy Xiong (School Counselor).