After the news of no midterms in the 2020-2021 school year spread, many students were saddened by the belief that there would be no Winter Week as a consequence. Although Winter Week will not include the typical whole-school gatherings and presentations in the theater, Student Council is working hard with the administration to create a fun and relaxing, yet safe week for the community to enjoy.

“This year we’re gonna try to put some events together but nothing really too crazy,” junior Student Council member Ben Chen said. “Just small group stuff in person if possible, and potentially in-person events like A Capella and Window.”

Since Cohort A and Cohort B attend school on different days, the events are not going to be mirrored for the two cohorts. In other words, there will be different events running at the time each cohort is in school; however, Student Council is attempting to make events accessible to all students by using Zoom. There is currently no set schedule for Winter Week as of now.

Previously, Winter Week was believed by some to be canceled because it was thought to be a “gift” of sorts following midterms, and, with no midterms, many believed that there would be no Winter Week.

“I think the goal of Winter Week is to take a break, a step back and come together as a community,” assistant principal Laura Cole said. “It is a time to showcase students, alumni and give students an opportunity to learn about some interesting things and people.”

The strange disconnect between cohorts will garner a gap in the “come together as a community” part of the Winter Week initiative. Many students haven’t seen half of their grade in person for the entire year, and it has made students want to connect more than ever before.

“I really wish that we could do more things with the other cohort,” senior Jason Haims said. “We rarely get to work with them and connect with them in class, so we could definitely try to [take] more steps to do so.”

Winter Week is a time of social connections, but, with the pandemic, that won’t be possible in the usual sense. However, that’s not to say having Winter Week isn’t possible.

“We are operating a school in a global pandemic, many high schools would cancel and avoid the challenge of planning something like this,” Cole said. “So, if anything… I hope the WHS community is grateful to the students and teachers who are working to make this week happen.”

Cole hopes that students recognize the fact that Student Council can only work with what the school and pandemic alike will allow them to do.

“Student Council has been dealt [with a] difficult hand and they keep playing different cards,” Cole said. “I am sure that it will be memorable, but it is what the students and teachers make of it.”