1. The mask – debate over whether to ‘mask up’ heated
COVID-19 ruled over the operations of most – if not all – of the area's schools for another year. The mask controversy overshadowed the debate over virtual vs in-person learning. The mask mandate enacted by Grand Public Schools (as part of its Safe Return to School Plan) garnered the wrath of a raucous gathering of GPS parents, culminating in a GPS Board of Education meeting unlike any other.
Demonstrators holding banners and yelling outside the Kneale Administration Building before the August 12 regular-session board meeting demanded that the mask mandate be abolished.
The boardroom was filled with dissatisfaction, if not outright rage. Patrons reacted vehemently in favour and against asking GPS students and staff members to wear masks during public discussion. Following public discussion, police officers evacuated the boardroom for an impromptu recess, with several decrying the number of speakers allowed as they left. The GPS Board of Education revised and clarified its meeting attendee policies as a result of the meeting.
The mask mandate will become a mask option ("preferred") at GPS campuses and events on Jan. 3, 2022, if all goes according to plan.
The mask requirements – or options – at other nearby schools were more lenient. Northwest did not have a mask mandate when the school year began in 2021-22, and they have maintained that policy.
2. Let’s (not) talk about gender – state’s health education standards met with criticism
Proposed modifications to the Nebraska Department of Education health education standards, notably education issues listed under Human Growth & Development, were nearly as contentious as whether or not to send pupils to school wearing masks. Opponents said that some of the content was inappropriate for children. Guidelines for educating elementary and middle school children about anal and oral (Section HE.7.7.1), gender identification (HE.8.7.2), and atypical family structures received the most criticism (HE.K.7.2).
Following an information-gathering campaign, the Nebraska Department of Education went back to the drawing board and removed much of the disputed content. The term "gender identity" only appeared twice after the guidelines were rewritten, despite being stated far more frequently in draught one.
Nonetheless, Grand Island Public Schools stated in an official statement that the plan's acceptance (or rejection) by the State Board of Education would have no impact on the district. Reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies are the only state standards that school districts must follow.
Northwest Public School Superintendent Jeff Edwards said in a statement to patrons that the district rejects the proposed standards and will stick to the ones presently in place.
Many school systems, including GIPS, provide pupils the opportunity to be excused from studying subject matter that they consider to be problematic or unsuitable.
Early in September, the creation of the Health Education Standards was halted indefinitely.
3. Feelings – schools turn attention to mental health of students, staff
During the year 2021, Grand Island Central Catholic placed a strong emphasis on student and staff mental health. The school's therapy dogs are one way GICC looks after its employees and pupils.
With outreach initiatives, school authorities maintain tabs on the mental health of their personnel and kids, then address difficulties with policy and procedure evaluations.
In order to compensate for staff shortages created by COVID-19 and a short replacement teacher roster, a significant number of Grand Island Public Schools educators have been teaching routinely unassigned classrooms, forsaking planning periods and other recovery time.
The shortage came to a head in September, when the school unexpectedly cancelled classes on Friday, Sept. 24, citing mental health concerns among students and employees.
4. Providing infrastructure – building projects abound
Despite the coronavirus and the resulting supply chain problems, new construction and remodelling projects abound in 2021. Northwest Public Schools has revealed plans to restore Northwest High School's buttercup-yellow main gym from the 1970s, as well as the high school science labs and the much used high school theatre.
JBS, Stueven Charitable Foundation, and COVID-19 American Recovery Act monies helped support the research in part.
Fieldhouse building and football field renovations will be funded through the $7.5 million "Charting Our Future" capital drive.
The much-loved Memorial Stadium in Grand Island, which was nearly rained out, was dedicated on Aug. 22. A state-of-the-art scoreboard was among the many enhancements to the stadium. However, the east side's veterans memorial was at the centre of the makeover.
Veterans from World War I and World War II were honoured when Memorial Stadium hosted its first football game in 1947. With an interactive display, the east side now welcomes more recent veterans.
GIPS officially christened the Principal Building, which it bought in late 2020.
5. The graduates – commencements occur with modifications
Despite the pandemic, area high schools and Central Community College held in-person graduation ceremonies. Some ceremonies required masks and encouraged social distance, while others broadcasted their commencements live on the internet.
Central Community College went even further against precedent, holding a separate ceremony for winter graduates rather than lumping them in with May grads. December grads used to be able to attend spring commencement after celebrating with casual celebrations in December.
The three campuses – Grand Island, Hastings, and Columbus – met on December 10 at the Aurora Cooperative Pavilion at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds in Grand Island. Three hundred and thirty-seven students were eligible to graduate in December.
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