Volume 14, Issue 7 by The Roundtable

The student-run publication of Stuart Hall High School | 1715 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Volume 14, Issue 7 | Thursday, May 21, 2020

Educators tackle promoting civil discourse

Seniors uncertain about fall semester

Nik Chupkin

Design Editor

n a time of an increasingly polarized electorate, many teachers are taking on the challenge of presenting multiple viewpoints and promoting reasoned political discourse. “I’m always asking the kids to doubt,” history teacher Karen Fry said, “not only what they’re reading, but to doubt what I’m saying and come up with their own opinions and arguments.” Some students say they come into the classroom wanting to learn about current events objectively. “Students should be aware of what’s going on in the world without necessarily having a political commentary attached to that information,” senior Neo Kounalakis said. “There can often be a certain bias towards how certain information is presented and received in the classroom. Students say they can become uncomfortable when teachers show favor toward a political side. “My political views are very different from the majority of people in the community,” junior Monty Buesnel said. “I feel as if I can cause members in our community to see me in a different way, a way I don’t want to be portrayed in.” Some teachers say they combat students feeling excluded for their views by emphasizing reasoning for an opinion, rather than the opinion itself. “I repeatedly tell my classes that I'm not concerned with their conclusions,” history teacher Jason Konik said. “Rather than focus on conclusions and their consequences, I ask students to focus on their process and the evidence they used.” Political continues on 2

Nik Chupkin & Will Burns | Photoillustration TRYING TIMES As the school year comes to an end virtually, seniors say they wonder if they will be able to attend college physically. Some universities have already made plans to continue large classes online, while others are formulating possible responses to a second wave of COVID-19.

Community leaders conduct traditions virtually, attempt to comfort graduating class

Owen Akel

Reporter

s the school year approaches its end amid COVID-19 shelter-inplace-orders, Stuart Hall administrators are attempting to carry out senior traditions while maintaining social distancing measures, but uncertainty still looms in the seniors’ futures. “I’m very sorry that they’re going to be experiencing these things in a different way,” Head of School Tony Farrell said about annual senior traditions. “We also hope that the experience they can have is one that will be meaningful and memorable.” Seniors got together via Zoom for their annual retreat from the comfort of their homes rather than in the Santa Cruz Mountains on May 7. During the retreat, seniors listened to a webinar from Lisa Damour, a best-selling author and psychologist specializing in the development of teenage girls, who spoke about navigating the

end of senior year during the coronavirus pandemic. “Certainly we weren’t up among redwood trees or some beautiful hillside,” Farrell said. “You go to trees and you go to beautiful environments, and it’s a retreat from the ordinary. Unfortunately for our students, they were only around their ordinary.” Poet David Whyte, who is a leader in the field of conversational leadership, also led a workshop about embracing uncertainty in the future. Convent & Stuart Hall mailed seniors packages with items to help them create a space for reflection despite the class not physically being together at a retreat center. “We sent every senior a blanket, a journal and a tea light, all to help them create a space for themselves,” Farrell said. “It’s a challenge to try to recreate retreat experiences. I felt very affirmed by their work that they are ready to make this next step.”

Although final plans for the seniors receiving their diplomas was not available at press time, it is unlikely the San Francisco Health Department will allow a large-scale graduation at the Pine/Octavia Campus. “Obviously I’m disappointed about not having a traditional graduation,” Ryan Darwin said, “but knowing Stuart Hall, I’m confident that whatever we do will be special.” Darwin, along with other seniors, said he is still unsure about how his freshman year at college will unfold. “With every day and every new story that comes out, I start to think about backup plans a little more,” Darwin said about attending the University of Washington in the fall. “Seattle was hit pretty hard and expects another wave. I need to be realistic and think about other options for next year.” Henry Sears also said he is worried about his freshman year being postponed or conducted

online. “I’m going to be attending the Dual BA Program Between Columbia University and Sciences Po,” Sears, who will be going to school in Paris, said. “I’m really nervous that college might not start in person in the fall. I would have to contend with a big time difference, unless I could get a visa and move.” Lance Tam, who plans to attend the University of British Columbia, says he is fairly certain what his college classes will look like during the fall semester. “My bigger lectures are going to be online,” Tam said, “but smaller classes are still going to be in person, just with social distancing measures enacted.” Tam says he is trying to stay optimistic despite beginning some of his classes online. “I’ve come to learn to have an open mind,” Tam said, “and accept that events like this do happen, and change is necessary to brave through it.”

Shelter-in-place reminders

Gathering with anyone outside living unit is prohibited

Use of outdoor recreational areas like gyms and dog parks is prohibited

Shopping malls, theaters and other entertainment venues are closed

Gathering with those outside living unit is permitted for essential activities

Some outdoor activities, like skating, hiking, golf and fishing are allowed

Restaurants and cafes are open for takeout and delivery services only

Source: San Francisco Department of Public Health

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