The Dispatch

Blog: My Experience with COVID-19

Dispatch reporter recalls her experiences with COVID-19.

Lucciana Choueiry, Reporter • December 14, 2020

The Coronavirus pandemic hit every global news outlet’s headlines overnight. Everyone’s life was put on pause as the virus consumed peoples’ lives. It felt like a situation you would only see in...

The Bulldog Breakdown 12/4: Revised final exam schedule and Build Up Bowie fundraiser for air purifiers

Cade Spencer, Editor-in-Chief • December 5, 2020

“The Bulldog Breakdown” is a weekly news brief column that serves as an announcement board for upcoming events and opportunities in the Bowie community. On Mondays, “The Bulldog Breakdown” is published...

AISD activates COVID-19 rapid testing program to ensure student and staff safety after November break

At a United Memorial Medical Center COVID-19 testing site, health care workers perform rapid COVID-19 tests on individuals in a drive through format. Starting on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and ending on Friday, Dec. 4, Austin Independent School District will offer rapid testing at six locations for participants in on-campus instruction that want to ensure they are not carriers of the virus. After an initial week of remote learning, on-campus instruction is projected to resume on Monday, Dec. 7.

Cade Spencer, Editor-in-Chief • November 30, 2020

Large family gatherings with exciting games, potlucks, and celebrations are traditional cornerstones of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, in the era of COVID-19, the typical family celebrations had to...

Reopening Phase 3 offers new hybrid model for on-campus instruction

As of Monday, Nov. 2, Reopening Phase 3 will officially be activated. The main difference between Phase 2 and Phase 3 is the introduction of the new hybrid model, which allows for an increased number of students to participate in on-campus instruction.

Cade Spencer, Editor-in-Chief • October 31, 2020

Since the implementation of Reopening Phase 2 on Oct. 5, less than 100 students have returned to campus to participate in Stationary Homeroom Instructional Pods (SHIPs). However, as of Monday, Nov. 2,...

AISD reopening plan amidst a pandemic

Dylan Ebs, Election 2020 Editor • October 14, 2020

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees met on September 28 to discuss the plans for the return to in-person school on October 5 and to vote on a proposed change to the 2019-2020 school calendar. When students...

Reopening Phase 2 allows limited students and staff to return to campus

As of Monday, Oct. 5, Bowie is in Phase 2 of its campus reopening plan. After completing a COVID-19 health screening, students report to SHIP rooms on campus, remaining in the same classroom the entire school day while completing remote instruction via Zoom and BLEND. The total amount of students and staff allowed on campus is calculated on a weekly basis, called the building capacity, based off national and local health guidelines.

Cade Spencer and Arushi Sharma • October 6, 2020

Monday, Oct. 5, the dormant halls of campus were awakened by the arrival of the initial group of students and staff to return officially since the facility was closed on March 13. The individuals...

Google Fiber outage and unstable WiFi connections present challenges to students in remote learning

Junior Chris Thompson participates in remote learning from his father’s office after Google Fiber's service was disrupted at his home. On Sept. 11, Google Fiber had several outages across the nation, causing students to seek alternative methods of internet connection to complete online class work.

Sammie Thompson, Reviews Editor • October 2, 2020

A student’s computer screen, displaying all of the people in their first period Zoom meeting, suddenly freezes. Moments later, the audio cuts out. A message pops up over the now-frozen faces of their...

Senior Send-Off Salute allows the Class of 2020 to take one last lap around campus

Cade Spencer, Managing Editor • September 8, 2020

No senior of the Class of 2020 could have predicted that the end of their senior year would consist of self-isolation and social distancing. Although there is yet to be an official graduation ceremony,...

The Dispatch guide to enhanced productivity in an extended summer

On Thursday, August 6, the AISD School Board voted to prolong the start of school to Sept. 8. When school does begin, the initial four weeks will be virtual, and remote learning will continue through November with the option for students to attend SHIP classroom on campus after the initial four weeks of school.

Arushi Sharma, Dispatch Reporter • August 17, 2020

It is an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives. Stay at home orders, social distancing, and a fear of getting sick has made it difficult to enjoy this summer break....

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