October 2020

OCTOBER 30, 2020 ISSUE 1 THE O NEWS KEEPING STUDENTS UPDATED ON CURRENT EVENTS Safety during COVID-19. MICHELLE RAMIREZ COVID-19 has changed the world as we knew What is the stimulus check? it. Now one must get adjusted to our new reality and understand how to be safe during MICHELLE RAMIREZ All United States citizen’s and United states challenging times. resident aliens will receive the economic The virus most commonly spreads through COVID has impacted life as we know it, impact payment. Economic payment ranges respiratory droplets, these can spread throughout causing the world to suddenly pause. In March from $1,200-$2,400 depending on tax filing the air and especially when one is in close of 2020, the corona virus cases bean to rise at status. Those who are not dependent of another proximity to another person. To safely protect a quick rate. Causing many citizens to begin to taxpayer and filed as single will receive the yourself and others it is recommended that one panic. Out of caution many legislators and $1,200 and those who are not dependent of washes their hands frequently and wears a facial government officials issued stay at home another taxpayer and filed married filing covering. orders. Thus, leaving many businesses to shut jointly will receive the $2,400. Qualifying If you begin to present symptoms such as, down. The virus put all of life on pause. As a children will receive $500. Children must be cough, fatigue, headache, loss of taste or smell, result, many working-class families were under 17 at the end of the taxable year, is a US sore throat, etc. It is recommended to speak with affected. Suddenly they lost their jobs or were citizen, and must have lived with the taxpayer your healthcare provider. They may recommend working in a new virtual environment. The for more than half of the tax year. you complete a COVID test. If tested positive, it shutdown caused many working people to Payments will be received through direct is recommended to self-isolate for 10 days. suddenly be left without income leaving them deposit, similarly to the tax refund. If you did Further instructions would be given by your with great financial burden. To compensate, not receive direct deposit for your tax refund, healthcare provider if one tested positive. federal lawmakers have granted an economic the check will be mailed to address the IRS has Test can be performed at a variety of locations stimulus package, also known as the stimulus on file and will be recommended based on location, check. This $2-trillion-dollar package sent If you have further questions about the healthcare provider and your healthcare many Americans checks up to $1,200 for economic or to check availability check out: insurance. financial relief. https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic- impact-payments IN THIS ISSUE WHITE MARSH COLLEGE MS. SPRINGSTON And much more… PAGE 1

THE O NEWS Tribute to Ms. White Marsh Springston Mall ALEENA KARIM JACKELINE RODRIGUEZ When you first walked into the school building, Have you been to Working at White Marsh Mall during to your right you can see our main office. the mall since COVID has been a challenge but never Walking into that office and being greeted with quarantine? a challenge we can’t overcome. I am a a smile and warm attitude was the highlight for sales associate and we can only have a many students at Overlea. Ms. Springston, our maximum of 10 people in the store at a beloved secretary, was born and raised in Essex, time. Sometimes there can be a line of MD. She was a kind and gentle soul. Sadly, due people standing outside to come in the to COVID-19 she has departed this earth on store. Some can be angry and upset but May 16th, 2020. I recall the times when I was we must ensure the health safety of late to school or needed assistance, she would everyone and employees. At the food always help me with open arms. She always court when sitting down, people remove remembered my name and the names of many their mask to eat which is scary but other students at Overlea and that has stuck with every table is far apart from each other. me. She would complement me on my different Without a mask there is no entry in any hijabs and share her positivity on to others. That store or the mall. It gets frustrating kindness has made me want to be kind and look when a customer pulls down or forward to coming to school, which is the not removes their mask completely. But easiest to do. I asked fellow students and staff to hopefully this pandemic gets better! share their memories of Ms. Springston and a - student at Overlea shared, “Ms. Springston was one of the nicest ladies I’ve met, she always NO! Ms. Keith, Mr. managed to make my day better with her positive attitude every morning I saw her.” Yurow, Ms. Kornegay, Ms. (Kendra M.) Ms. Brown, a teacher at Overlea Slaybaugh, Ms. Delvisco, Ms. shared, “From the first time I walked into Sands, Ms. Arment, Ms. Neal, Overlea for my interview, Ms. Springston made Dr. Anderson, Ms. Bell, Mr. me feel like I was at home. She had a heart of Reeves, Mr. Weber, Ms. gold and would go out of her way to make sure Thompson, Ms. Koutouvalis, everyone was ok. She loved her Overlea family Ms. Fellows, Mr. Perkins, Ms. and would have done anything for us. She is so Gizara, Mr. Wade, Mr. Keller, missed!” Although she is no longer here with us, Mr. Whatley, Dr. Kelley, Ms. she will always be within our hearts. She was Gillis, Mr. White dearly loved by the staff and students at Overlea. I can say personally that she has left a lasting YES! Ms. Soule, Ms. impression on me and she will always be remembered as the kind, caring and lovely Ms.Springston. May she rest in peace. Kilgore, Mr. Kotarides, Ms. Collins, Mr. Clark, Officer Moore, Ms. Wilson PAGE 2

THE O NEWS As the college admission deadlines are quickly approaching, high school seniors seem to be facing a ton of stress. In fact, for most colleges Seniors face stress as the early action deadline is in Novemeber or college admission December which raises some concerns. deadlines quickly “It’s really overwhelming trying to get all my applications on time, knowing that there’s other responsibilities that I have to take upon as a senior,” said, Elizabeth a high school senior. Seniors are staying up late at night, to not only approach. get college applications done, but their schoolwork and community college work done as well. “I feel like I’m running at time because it’s like one minute your doing something, then the next Poetry Corner minute, the early action application is due which increases my stress level,” said Elizabeth. By: Massa Rogers Many seniors have a job, must worry about college applications, community colleges, and their regular senior classes at Overlea which oh how cold it is puts a lot of stress on Seniors. on this Halloween night with lots Due to the high level of stress that seniors are of face masks insight facing right now, the guidance counseling office is offering additional support personally and socially to help seniors get to the finish line. Glory Nwah PAGE 3

THE O NEWS Halloween in Quarantine? Hallocautious?? ELIZABETH AKPALA According to 5 Chicago News, it is suggested that both trick or treaters and candy givers take OCTOBER 29, 2020 precautions. “Masks aren’t just for trick or treaters this year! Everyone- including candy givers- Has COVID taken over Halloween??? should wear a face covering.” That seems easy, but is that all we have to do to avoid COVID during this period?? The answer is no. “Keep your candy crew small. Trick or treating groups Many people have questioned whether COVID should be 6 people or less. has taken over Halloween, as we’re still According to 5 Chicago News, here are several precautions one can take to ensure safety during Quarantined, and now it’s time to find out. If the Halloween you even think about it, not many people are talking about Halloween at all. So what does that • “Leave a light on or hang a Halloween sign in your window to let others know your mean?? Many parents are hesitant about letting house is giving out candy safely.” their children participate in Halloween because they feel as though Halloween will increase • “Handing out candy? Please socially distance and have hand sanitizer, too.” COVID instead of decreasing it since the • “Ensure there’s all treats no tricks. Please don’t reach into candy bowls while trick or spreading of germs will occur. However, studies treating and eat candy only at home after washing your hands.” have been shown that precautions will be taken to ensure everyone’s safety during this Halloween time period. Guess Halloween isn’t cancelled after all. Happy Halloween! PAGE 4