SPOTLIGHT
NEWS: Francis Howell High School fhhstoday.com Vol. 50, Issue 1 October 2020
Seniors begin voting amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Mallory Abshear StaffWriter
Mail-in ballots allow for additional voting choice
In 2005, Howell implemented "Howell Time" as a way for freshmen to receive additional support. Starting as a "double seventh hour," once Freshman Transition Day started, Howell Time evolved into a time for academic support and community building. The first purpose of Howell Time [currently] is studying and progress in their education, and the second is to build awareness of issues and honor each other's opinions and ideas," Principal David Wedlock said. In a change, because of social distancing measures, travel to classrooms cannot occur. There obviously isn't going to be as much of a chance for students to mingle, but we will continue to dive into 'a sense of belonging,' which we didn't have a chance to finish due to COVID closing schools," Wedlock said. After community building activities the first week, Howell Time will feature three days of academic time and one day of community building each month. It's important that we have a space where we can come together with a whole bunch of people from different walks of life," Viking Edge leader Hannah Edmonds said. It's good to have a place where we can talk and help each other out," Edmonds said. Owing to the cancellation of transition day, freshmen received small group mentoring from their Edge Leaders. Some felt the overall lessons to be unnecessary. People think of the lessons as common sense that doesn't need to be taught, and the activities aren't enjoyable for teenagers," freshman Sterling Holloman said.
Owen Halstead StaffWriter
Howell Time uses activities to focus on dignity, building community
After staying home since March, when schools reopened, some students chose not to attend. Aug. 31, students started their first day by logging into a computer. While they learned online, the curriculum covered the same as those attending in person. During virtual learning, our students will connect with their teachers via Zoom on a daily basis," Chief Academic Officer Connie Buckman said. "Our students who are currently enrolled in the virtual option are covering the same standards and curriculum as our in- person students. They will be assessed on these standards by their virtual teachers. Our teachers are providing feedback and informally assessing students all of the time. This allows them to adjust their instruction and meet the needs of their students." All teachers are prepared for another closure, should one occur. We are going to be utilizing the Smartmusic online music learning and practicing tool," band teacher Chris Miller said. Miller is already teaching some band classes virtually. The program has over 150 different technique books, over 5,400 concert band titles, and tons of solo and small ensemble materials. I am planning to incorporate the use of Smartmusic into the in person classroom, so that if or when we go virtual this is already in place and should make for a seamless transition," Miller said. All teachers are using Canvas, allowing students to work both in class and at home. Google Classroom is helpful because it is easy to use, but Canvas is inconvenient since everything is in different places and it's hard to find," sophomore Lennon Schwamle said. "All of the teachers keep things in a different set up and lots of them don't use calendars like most teachers do. I think Canvas is okay, but I liked Google Classroom because it's what I'm used to."
Mariah Schaffer StaffWriter
What happens if Howell goes virtual?
Katie Thuet Web Co-Editor
Seniors pay to paint parking spaces
Election Day
Registration Deadline:
Online: Oct. 7 OR Postmarked by Oct. 7 OR In person: Oct. 7 Sep. 24 Senior Bella Lopez was looking at colleges on her phone in the Learning Commons studio as part of a college unit. I had my legs crossed, then when I moved to put my leg down I felt something weird under my foot," Lopez said. It was a baby snake. Normally I don't find them this far in," custodian Terry Sneed said. "Maybe it caught a ride on someone's shoelaces after they walked through the grass. Sneed came into the learning commons to remove the snake with a butterfly net and broom at 9:30 a.m. I was mostly just confused. It must've been there awhile, because I'd been in there a while," Lopez said. After catching the snake, Sneed released it back to the wild near the practice fields. Sneed thinks it might have been a baby black snack but isn't certain.
Custodian Terry Sneed removes snake
Alex Tolan-Hoechst StaffWriter
2
Absentee Ballots:
Request received by Oct. 21 Return by mail: must be received by Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Return in person: drop offat a polling location by Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For 18-year-old seniors, Nov. 3 marks their first election. They can vote, but with a catch. They'll be voting in the midst of a pandemic, unlike 18-year-old voters before them. I personally want to vote in person, but I think a lot of people will not vote if there are not mail in ballots. A lot of people are self- isolating and will not come out to vote. I think it's important to allow mail in ballots," senior Ashley Nguyen said. Missouri voters can vote through mail-in ballots by requesting ballots from their local election authority in-person or by mail. The St .Charles election authority is located at 397 Turner Blvd, St. Peters, MO, 63376. Mail-in ballot requests sent by mail must be received by the local election officials by Oct. 21 at 5 p.m., and for the mail-in vote to be counted, the filled out ballot must be notarized and received by the election authority no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. It is important to note that mail- in ballots must be returned in the mail. Unlike absentee ballots, mail- in ballots cannot be dropped offor brought to a polling place. I will probably be going with my dad because this is my first time voting ever and I'm not sure what I'm doing. This is a big deal since this will be my first presidential election and I will be able to have my first say in our government leaders as a part of Generation Z," senior Elli Russell said. To be able to vote on election day, students must be registered by Oct. 7. As long as students are 18 on Nov. 3, election day, they will be eligible to register.
Drawing by Ainslee Harkins
Sept. 18. DECA announced they would be allowing seniors to buy and paint their own parking spaces. We wanted to promote school spirit and to give seniors something special since so much is being taken from them during these Covid times," DECA sponsor Nadine Freedline said. Parking spot designs were submitted Sept. 24, and spots were sold Sept. 21 through Sept. 23, Painting will take place Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 from 8a.m.-3p.m. I'm excited because I have always thought it was a cool idea to paint parking spots and I was always envious of schools that get to do it. I like how personalized it can be," senior Megan Ramey said. Seniors are allowed to paint whatever they want on their spot as long as the design follows the dress code and students provide their own supplies for their spot. All designs were pre-approved by administration. My hope is that I get the spot that I want. Me and a few friends are planning on reserving spots together," senior Colin Spies said. "I'm looking forward to seeing all the cool designs people come up with." Along with getting to paint their spots, seniors will reserve their spots for the whole school year. I'm excited to have my own parking spot the whole year. I'll probably paint what sports I play and my name and stuff," senior Gus Hetzel said. "It seems a lot of things are getting taken from us and this is just something totally new that we get to look forward to."
Senior Colleen Faucher's parking spot design that she submitted for approval. Custodian Terry Sneed sweeps snake into butterfly net. Photo: Sue Robinson
IMPORTANT YEARBOOK INFO: Senior tribute ads are due Oct. 30. You make your own ad online at jostensadservice.com. Seniors need to call Wagner Portrait Group for any photo makeups or to take your picture. 314-567-5900 Yearbooks are $70 but the price goes to $75 as of Jan. 1. We sold out of all of the 2020 books. Order early so you do not miss out.
WELL, THAT WAS UNEXPECTED
Forget to buy your yearbook? You're not too late.
Visit jostensyearbooks.com and type in Francis Howell High and follow the prompts. Not sure if you already ordered? Call 877-767-5217
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