Mask-less faculty, family, and friends gathered on a sweltering June 6 to witness the Class of 2021 graduate. Graduation this year was especially significant as the momentous occasion was held in-person on varsity field (last year was a drive-thru graduation set up.). Although most loved ones sat in the stands, graduating seniors were given two tickets that allowed for parents, guardians, or whoever else they chose to sit with them on the field.

At 2:00, graduates walked to their seats in a sea of red and white. While most of the graduates were lined on the field, Class President Sydney Hovasse, Valedictorian Matt Tengtrakool, Salutatorian Alison Irwin, and Class Essayist Jonathan Wolinksi took their places on the stage in preparation for the speeches they delivered.

Hovasse spoke about the Class of 2021’s collective experiences throughout their four years at Burlington High School; Tengtrakool, Irwin, and Wolinski related the past and future experiences of the graduates to Newton’s Laws of Motion. The student speeches, in addition to the ones given by Superintendent Dr. Eric Conti; BHS Principal Mark Sullivan; and School Committee Chair Thomas Murphy Jr., were all heartfelt as they also highlighted the efforts of parents in ensuring their children succeeded during their academic careers in Burlington.

Finally, it was time for the graduates to receive their diplomas. Mr. Sullivan read out each student’s name as Associate Principal Richard Sheehan handed the diplomas. As each student walked off the stage, they posed for a photographer, proudly showing their accomplishment. After the last student reached her seat, Sydney Hovasse returned to the podium to instruct the ceremonial placement of the tassel from the right to the left, signifying the class’s graduate status. She then called for the tossing of the graduating caps, which was done among a crowd of loved ones cheering on their seniors.

Despite some alarming moments caused by the heat, the graduation was an overall success and a prideful event for the family and friends gathered. After the ceremony, pictures were taken as friends and family chatted and celebrated the day. We are so proud of the Class of 2021 and wish every single student continued triumph and joy in life!

After April break our school had a massive change: all students returned to school in-person full-time. This had a significant impact on our schedule, as we enter the school at 8:40a.m. instead of the usual 8:45a.m. and leave school at 2:55p.m. instead of what once was the normal time of 2:20p.m.

That's not the end of the change that students faced with schedules. Students also had classes put in a rotating order and a directed study added to our day to day. Feelings of the schedule change have been pretty negative overall.

When asked if he liked the new schedule Sigfie Moodie, a student of Burlington Highschool said, “Hell no. It messes my work schedule up.”

This thought of the schedule change wasn't just one person's opinion on it. Some teachers have been having the same problem.

Larry Cohen, a chemistry teacher of Burlington High School, has faced difficulties after the new schedule was set up.

“[The new schedule] makes it more difficult,” Mr. Cohen said. “It makes all the classes out of sync.”

But the change has not been completely negative.

“I have a lot of free time in classes and study so I never have to do homework,” Tanner Cody, a senior of the BHS, said.

The general mood since the new schedule was established has both negative and positive parts to it. As the school year is closing up, most of the inconveniences will eventually be over. Like having three lunches instead of two has been a weird adjustment. But students have adjusted remarkably well to this new change.

The strange dynamic of this school year has caused many changes to the normal ways of doing just about everything in school. One factor that has been somewhat complicated is the course selection process for the 2021/2022 school year.

“Most of the process has stayed the same,” Joe Attubato, BHS Guidance Counselor, said. “We were able to pull off a live assembly; it just was done three times for each cohort which was the only big difference.,”

In usual years, there would be only three assemblies: one for each grade. Luckily, assemblies are still allowed this year but in much smaller numbers and social distancing is practiced during them. Even though the set-up is different, the same information that students usually get is being presented to them and classes will still be put in the same way through Aspen. So, a lot of the course selection process is staying the same except the assemblies have been modified.

This school year has impacted students on a personal level to where they may not feel very comfortable reaching out about concerns with their course recommendations due to the lack of time with teachers.

“I am a generally shy person but I am comfortable having conversations with teachers that I connect with and talk to regularly,” Ria Gandhi, BHS freshman, said over email. “I was unable to do that this year unfortunately and due to that, I only feel comfortable with talking to some teachers about my recommendations, but not all.,”

During this school year, time with teachers has been limited to only three times a week and only once a week in person. Though that is still valid time to talk with teachers, it is very hard to have genuine conversations and connections over Google Meets, which makes it difficult to maintain relationships or feel comfortable with teachers. This factor may affect students in their course selections since having guidance from teachers and understanding their recommendations is a very important part of the process.

Teachers and staff, like usual, have been trying their best to help all students who may have questions or concerns about anything revolving course selections, but this year is making it exceptionally difficult to meet with all students when given such little time together.

“It’s hard for one counselor to meet with all of their students during the time that the window is open in Aspen,” Joe Attubato, BHS Guidance Counselor, said. “In years past, counselors would sit down in the lower library for the whole day and students could come down during their study if they had a quick question,”

Due to the limited amount of time there is in school along with the restrictions, it has been difficult for counselors to meet with all their students and answer any questions they may have. In normal years, there was a lot more time to meet with counselors or even cross paths with them around the school and at lunch. Since staying and talking to people in the school day can not really occur at this time, it has made it hard for counselors to overall maintain relationships with students and have connections with them.

Though it has been a bit of a challenge for everyone to adjust to the new style of learning, some students have not let it affect their process of selecting next year's courses.

“I believe that I have learned enough to move onto sophomore year and succeed. I feel very prepared and excited for the classes I chose,” Jillian Gillis, BHS freshman, said over email.

It is expected that some students may feel a bit worried or anxious about the classes that they chose since this year has been exceptionally different and it is hard to know what to expect for next year. Though, some students still have confidence in what they have learned this year and they feel as though they will have great success next year in their selected courses

Overall, the school dynamic of this year hasn’t affected so much on the information part or the tech part of the course selection process; it has more so affected student and teacher/counselor relationships which made it difficult, on a personal level, for students to choose their classes or be confident in their decisions.

To any students looking for guidance on what classes to choose, please check out the program of studies. Teachers and staff work very hard on it and it is extremely helpful to students to let them know what is required of them for whatever class they may be interested in! It also provides information about graduation requirements, credits, grades, course levels, weighted grades, Advanced Placement courses, and special programs.

Looking for a good local coffee shop? Well I know just the place for you! True North is a small local business and is located on Cambridge street right here in Burlington. This local cafe was first opened in 2009 by the owner Paula S, and has been here in Burlington ever since.

This shop has so many great quality products, but more importantly the staff is so friendly and timely. The shop is very well-managed and has a very efficient ordering system. They offer customers both online ordering, which you can pick up, or in-person ordering, where you can go into the shop and order there. This being said, at times there could be many people coming in and out of the shop to grab their food or drinks, but I think True North has done a fantastic job of managing the safety protocols due to COVD-19. If you order online you can go in and pick up your order at the area they have to online pick ups.

Considering that COVID-19 has been destructive to most peoples sources of income, True North has a very reasonably priced menu. They offer a wide variety of sizes and types of drinks. For a house blend coffee the prices are Regular $2.60, Large $3.07, Extra large $3.65. Compared to a Starbucks where a large is about $4.65, you would be paying a dollar more for the same size coffee.

The menu has many different options but some of my favorites are the frozen or iced caramel latte, and the bacon egg and cheese bagel. They also have awesome seasonal flavors such as dirty snowball (chocolate flavored coffee) which is available now, and the pumpkin muffin with cream cheese frosting is awesome on a brisk fall day.

I do think this shop is worth anyone's time, and money. On top of having delicious food and drinks, you can help out a small local business during this tough time. True North is located at 204 Cambridge St Burlington, MA 01803.

Social isolation from the coronavirus has negatively affected everyone's mental health. Can getting physical activity help improve mental health?

“It gives me time away from my daily stressors (work, kids, time, etc.) where I can guarantee I am taking time for myself and doing something good for me,” Mr. Jackling, BHS Director of Health/Physical Education, said.

Studies show that physical activity of any kind has been proven to relieve stress, release good endorphins, and cope with stress and anxiety in a healthy way. Physical activity helps with many types of mental illness such as anxiety, and depression.

“Movement helped me to relieve stress,” Ms. Bannon, BHS athletic trainer, said. “I use activity to fuel my drive to push myself to new levels of fitness. I always feel better after exercise.”

Physical activity can be anything you choose. Some find it easier to play sports as a form of physical activity to release stress. Others find running, lifting weights, dancing, doing yoga, or even hiking better for them. Doing any form of exercise no matter what is good for your mental health no matter what you choose to do.

It is not easy to find motivation to get up and get moving, but it is very important. Here are some links to easy workouts, and some yoga for beginners.

1. 5 min Cardio for Beginners

2. Beginner Warmup Workout Routine

3. 10 minute Morning Yoga for Beginners

4. 15 minute Morning Yoga for Beginners

5. Fun 15 minute low impact, no equipment, cardio/resistance

The new iPhone 12 has been released on November 12. The phone is priced starting at $799 for 64GB of storage, with 128 and 256GB available for an extra fee. Like every new iPhone, this one has better camera graphics. The 12 has a stainless steel body, compared to aluminum on the regular 11.

While both phones have a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 12 is a brighter panel, with a typical brightness of 800 nits versus 625 nits on the iPhone11. Both phones offer a maximum of 1200 nits for HDR.

The iPhone 12 came out October 23 and is stocked in stores if you are looking to get one.

Social isolation from the coronavirus quarantine has negatively affected a lot of high school students mental health. Have schools done enough to support their students' mental health?

“Since March, we have been focusing on reaching more people (students, parents, and staff) and spreading the word that everyone should be prioritizing mental health during difficult times,” Ms. Berkely, school psychologist, said.

As a part of this work to reach out to the BHS community, theBridge program sends out an email reinforcing the support that we have both in school and virtually. These supports are for students and teachers.

“Feelings of isolation, stress, anxiety, depression are on the rise...however we have shown our ability to persevere and be resilient,” said Mrs.Conceison, BHS social worker.

It is very important to reach out to members of the staff, members of your family, friends or others to help keep your mental health as a priority.

“You’re not going to know about those supports unless you let someone know that you’re having a hard time,” said Ms. Berkley. “So often people try to work through mental health difficulties on their own but usually the first step towards relief comes when you acknowledge to someone else that you’re having difficulty and allow them to help you find the support you need.