For the Media Production class at the Jr./Sr. High School, no obstacle is too big to overcome.
That includes not being in the same place at the same time.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic - - and to help mitigate the spread of the virus - - Jr./Sr. High School students were divided into two cohorts. While one cohort is in school learning, the other cohort is at home learning remotely. The Media Production class is no exception. While half of the class is in school prepping and delivering the morning announcements, the other half is doing the same from home. 
Although the dynamic has proven challenging, the class has adapted and still found a way to broadcast the morning announcements on a daily basis - - often without a hitch.
“Everyone is connecting well… everyone has a good flow,” Alivia Enos said.
Alivia, a senior and second year student in Media Production, has used her experience to take on a leadership role in the class.
“I’m the only in-person student who has taken this class before,” Enos explained. “So, I have been doing a lot of teaching, and it’s really fun. Last year I didn’t realize how much actually goes into a broadcast.”
Lucas Krzyzanowski, also a senior, is in Media Production for the first time. He is one of several who has spent time “learning the ropes” from Alivia, both in-person and remotely.
“There’s definitely a lot of behind the scenes stuff to learn and execute that the viewer doesn’t see,” Lucas said.
Senior Trevor Owens has an interesting perspective. Last year, he was in school taking the class. This year, he is a fully remote student taking the class from home. Despite the change, he is still actively contributing to the class, but it has been an adjustment.
“It’s a lot different than it was last year,” Trevor said. “Before everything shutdown last school year, I was getting really comfortable with my position and what I was doing. Now, it’s like I’m relearning the entire class over again because I have to find new ways to still be able to contribute.”
Remote students like Trevor contribute by mainly handling the “tech” side of the class. They make slides and intros and share them with their classmates in school via Google Docs so they can be plugged into a broadcast.
“I have found ways to make myself useful, teach others and make sure I’m pushing forward in the class,” Trevor chimed.
Mrs. Weissenberger, Media Production teacher, is proud of the way her students have risen to the occasion. According to Mrs. Weissenberger, not only are students learning how to produce a daily broadcast, but they are also learning how to persevere and succeed in our “new normal.”
“Everyone has had to spend time participating in the class and being trained from home, and it’s no different for a lot of workplaces out there,” Mrs. Weissenberger said. “Businesses are hiring and then their new employees are being trained remotely. It’s exactly what we’re doing… communicating through Google Meet, Zoom and other virtual means. So, the way our class is operating is a very authentic experience.”
“This is all going to be very normal for them,” Mrs. Weissenberger added.
The Media Production class broadcasts the morning announcements “live” from its very own studio featuring an anchor desk, green screen and control room every morning at 9:57 sharp. Before each broadcast, the designated team leader conducts a team meeting to discuss the previous day’s announcements. He or she then assigns classmates to a specific assignment for the day’s broadcast. There are two or three anchors, sound and graphics techs, along with a person in charge of operating the teleprompter - - all overseen by the team leader. The actual five-minute broadcast airs after a few practice runs.
All of which, because of great teamwork, is still being accomplished with half of the class in school and the other half at home.
“I’m still new to the class and lacking experience,” Isabella Ricci, first year Media Production student, said. “But, it’s been a lot easier than I thought it was going to be, and I really owe that to Trevor and Alivia for being able to teach me.”
Ensuring that, despite COVID-19, the show goes on and the class can continue to “inform, motivate and inspire.”