by Milan M. Streit

ONLINE SCHOOL IN FULL SWING

In my last column, we discussed the debate over online learning.

The Vancouver School Board was discussing the postponement of school until summer or switching to online school. However, we all know “E-Learning” was chosen, and students and parents are now working through the process.

Microsoft Teams is the platform used by most students in our province. It’s a website made up of classes in a group for each topic one is studying. It’s one-stop shopping for textbooks, testing, discussions and weekly schedules.

For many of my fellow classmates, the online school appears to be working as an alternative to going to a brick and mortar schoolhouse. However, I’m learning about some problems.

Not all students have the right technology at home. Some have had to borrow tablets and laptops from schools. Some computers are slower than others. Navigating the Microsoft site also takes some getting used to.

Another problem is heavy workloads so early in this very different style of learning.

Overall, as a student, I am quite impressed with the online school and would like to highlight Woodwork/Tech Ed teacher, Mr. Au. He has made E-Learning fun and exciting, even though no wood is being worked.

A POTENTIAL RETURN TO SCHOOL?

Recently, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has highlighted the fact that British Columbia is flattening the curve. Could schools at least partially re-open? Some countries, including the Czech Republic and Denmark, have already seen elementary school students resume classes.

If so, things here in B.C. would look very different. Students would most likely be split into two groups, with different groups going to school every second day. This would let classes remain half-empty, still making students social distance.

However, I believe there are a couple of problems with this. First, hallway crowding. Since there are only two stairwells at King George, hallways are usually crowded during breaks and lunch. The second has to do with friends and high school relationships. While social distancing may be enforced during school hours, people may want to hang out with friends, in a non-socially distancing way.

A SALUTE TO WORKING KG STUDENTS

Many students at King George have jobs in the grocery and service industry and from all of us at the West End Journal, we just want to say thank you for your amazing service; restocking shelves, customer service, working the till and all the other great things you do.

COMPARING PANDEMICS

Over 100 years ago, we faced a different pandemic. Influenza, or better known as the “Spanish Flu”, put the world into panic mode just after World War I. Like Covid-19, it closed schools and theatres, limited gatherings, and even iced the 1919 Stanley Cup Finals between the Montreal Canadians and Seattle Metropolitans. There was no winner that year.

But the thing that is worrisome about the Spanish Flu is that more people were killed in the second wave. That’s why once restrictions in B.C. are lowered, we still need to socially distance and wash our hands, to protect our elders and family. Let’s make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DURING THE 7 0’CLOCK CHEER?

Every day, we give thanks to our essential workers at 7 p.m. by making lots of noise for our front-line heroes, many of whom are working around the clock. It’s been amazing, right?

So, I’m curious, what are you doing during the cheer? Shouting? Banging pots and pans? Playing a musical instrument? I have a trombone and “duel” with a guy blowing a kazoo across the street. Let us know in the comments section. It would be cool to hear from all of you readers!

INTO THE ARCHIVES

This month’s “Into The Archives” is a 1953 photo of a track and field scoreboard featuring King George in fifth place. Burnaby South is running away with it! The meet was hosted at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park.

Back then, King George had a reputation for being one of the best schools for track and field, comparable to today's success on the hard court. (Photo: New Westminster Museum)

Correction: I would like to correct last month’s “Into the Archives” item about Jimi Hendrix. King George archivist Jim Bradbury kindly messaged “The Dragon’s Pen” that the rock icon attended neighbouring and now-defunct Dawson Elementary School, not KG. I found this interesting as Hendrix is often credited as one of the school’s most popular former students. In fact, all Grade 8s even have a dedicated English lesson about Hendrix incorrectly attending King George.

Chalk it up as an urban myth!