Virtual spirit week
Kaitlyn Zellner, Online Editor In Chief
April 3, 2020
In hopes of boosting student morale during this weird time of virtual learning, newspaper advisor Michael Reeves has launched a virtual spirit week for the first week back after the long break. Classes will resume on the sixth and will be held on Zoom. The four day week will be divided into A and B d...
School closures extended until May 4
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 31, 2020
In accordance with President Donald Trump’s extension of social distancing policies for 30 more days announced on Sunday, March 29, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made an executive order on Tuesday, March 31 to extend the same policies through the end of April. Part of this order will extend all Texas sch...
Trump extends Coronavirus precautions until April 30
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 30, 2020
President Donald Trump announced Sunday, March 29 that his administration will extend social distancing guidelines until April 30 to stop, limit or halt the spread of COVID-19, coronavirus, across the country. This announcement is an extension of the White House’s program called “15 Days to Slow the S...
AISD schools extend closures until April 13
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 25, 2020
Austin Independent School District announced early on Wednesday, March 25 that all schools in the district would be closed until Monday, April 13 and students as well as staff should be prepared for longer closures. This extended closure was set in place in response to an announcement made Tuesday, ...
The College Board offers online review sessions for AP tests
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 25, 2020
The College Board announced it will be offering free, live, 45-minute review sessions for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in preparation for AP tests. These sessions will be taught by AP teachers across the country beginning on Wednesday, March 25. These classes will be available for students to acce...
UIL extends suspension all its activities due to COVID-19 precautions
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 19, 2020
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) announced in a press release on Thursday, March 19 that it will extend its suspension of all UIL activities such as contests, rehearsals and practices until Monday, May 4 if nothing changes. However, UIL will allow its member schools a period of time fo...
All STAAR tests for 2019-2020 cancelled, graduation requirements changed
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 19, 2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released information on Wednesday, March 18 regarding the 2019-2020 school year, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests and graduation requirements. On Monday, March 16, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the state would waive all STAAR te...
Austin-Travis County restaurants and bars closed, gatherings of 10 or more banned
Faith Lawrence, Managing Editor
March 17, 2020
Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt announced early Tuesday, March 17 that all restaurant dining rooms and bars in the Austin-Travis County area will be closed and gatherings of 10 or more people will be banned. Adler and Eckhardt decided upon these bans in order to slow the s...
Governor of Texas waives STAAR testing requirements due to prolonged school cancellations
Faith Lawrence and Cade Spencer
March 16, 2020
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday, March 16 that he would waive testing requirements for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams for the 2019-2020 school year since many schools expect to be closed through the testing days in accordance with social distancing policies...