A Message from the Editor
Thanks to controlled outbreak prevention procedures , we were thankfully back on campus for the beginning of the 2020 school year . As of writing this in November 2020 , the situation is looking good in Shanghai , even though the rest of the world seems to be going back into lockdown .
Virus prevention procedures at SLAS have been put into place to keep students and staff safe . Parents , students , and teachers are coordinating to share health updates daily . All staff and students have been required to show QR codes at the gate to enter campus since the beginning of the year .
Although most people feel safe at school , social distancing measures have significantly impacted daily campus life . Everyone must maintain a one meter distance in the hallways , masks are to be worn throughout the day , the cafeteria is closed to students , and our athletes cannot compete against other schools .
Gone are the days of seeing smiling faces in the halls and classrooms , but this is the sacrifice we need to make for safety in 2020 .
Academic life rolls on with MAPS testing , college visits , SAT preparation , and school elections . Some teachers and students are stuck abroad , so mixed online / offline classes have operated successfully since September .
Most events have thus far been canceled or downsized for safety reasons . Most notably , our Halloween festival was restricted this year to classroom activities only to reduce contact . Back to School Bash was also canceled for the same reason .
Despite a lack of festivals , the new journalism team has creatively worked around this year ’ s roadblocks . They have focused a lot more on providing visually stimulating articles . I am confident that this will be the most aesthetically pleasing SLAS Times issue to date !
If you would like to contribute stories , art , or other content , please write to slastimes @ laschina . org .
- Robert van West