By Thomas Wong, Staff Writer; Nicolas Ngo, Staff Writer
New CSL requirements instituted
The School Board recently ruled that the classes of 2021 and 2022 no longer need to submit Community Service Learning hours in order to graduate. Freshmen and sophomores must complete the reduced 50 CSL hour requirement. However, this is subject to change as uncertainty about the school year remains.
Concerns about the safety of volunteering during COVID-19 prompted the District Office to recommend the changes to the Board of Education.
Students must volunteer at non-profit or charitable organizations in order for CSL hours to register as valid. The counseling office will accept completed CSL hours if students email the CSL form directly to their counselor or if students turn in the form physically once school resumes.
“CSL can give a high school student a lot of different opportunities in terms of making connections,” counselor Kristen Castro said. “It’s similar to job experience or internships; students who take volunteering seriously will start understanding the importance of responsibility outside of themselves, as well as the importance of figuring out ways to help others in need.”
Campus changes
The School Board will purchase several shade structures to provide extra sun protection at lunch and to accommodate the possibility of socially-distanced outdoor learning.
The district plans on installing shade structures at every TCUSD campus to meet the Department of Education’s recommendations on physical distance for in-person learning. USA Shade and Fabric Structures will install seven structures in the quad and in front of the media center. The total cost of the structures for will be from $233,000 to $257,000.
“When we come back, the social distancing that the students will have to go through is going to be difficult,” Principal Richard Lohman said. “People will want to be with their friends and to talk to their classmates. I’m very much looking forward to students coming back, but still nervous about everyone being all together.”
Club rush
To organize club rush without endangering students and staff, ASBL’s Campus Committee is hosting the event on Discord, a social media platform.
New clubs may only be interest clubs until in-person learning returns, meaning that they cannot fundraise. ASBL plans to open a Discord server for students to learn about and join clubs. ASB will publish a list of chartered clubs on Oct. 2. There will be text channels for each club to post relevant information and voice channels for members to call and screen share with each other.
“Many clubs are doing all they can to raise awareness and educate people as much as they can,” Campus Committee member freshman Isabel Xu said. “We have many new ideas brainstormed for how we can do activities online and it’s a great learning experience for us all. We are doing everything we can to match the level of school spirit and enthusiasm as last year, if not more!”