Major school districts around the United States     1     (permit) students to attend class without face coverings to date. New York City ended the     2     (require) rules on March 7.

As we all know, the rules relating to face coverings or masks have caused fights among     3     (educate), school boards and parents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Some families are happy that their children no longer have to wear masks, which can make children focus     4     study better, while others hold the different ideas about the quitting of the restriction.

Falling COVID-19 infection rates and new federal health recommendations are the driving force for     5     drop of the rules. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued new guidelines     6     (say) most healthy Americans, including students can     7     (safe) stop wearing masks. However, there are still many concerns about low vaccination rates among American children     8     officials in many large cities have said they will keep mask rules for the time being.

Undoubtedly, wearing masks can cause trouble for students to understand     9     teachers are instructing in the classroom. But it remains     10     (see) what will happen in the following months, so we are supposed to be cautious about the ongoing changes.

5 . It was bad enough when COVID- 19 closed schools in Philadelphia, US, in March. Like a lot of students, Makyla Linder, 16, found herself getting bored. So she started watching baking videos and shows on TV and online. Soon, she started baking on her own.

Cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberries were her first creations.

“I tried them on my friends when they came to my house,” Linder sad. “I also tried them on my family. They said my creations were good.”

For most children, that would have been enough. But Linder had bigger ideas. She asked her mom - what if she started selling her baked goods?

With the help of her mother, Linder got more baking supplies and equipment. She started taking orders online. More people started hearing about her business. Linder also started giving out business cards to make her company more well-know.

She also improved her baking as time went on. She researched new recipes (食谱) and learned good baking skills. She now sells chocolate-covered cookies, chocolate apples and banana pudding. She has some customers who have returned to her several times. They say her prices are good. She charges $15 for a dozen cupcakes or cake pops.

When school reopened in September, Linder had to focus more on her studies. “I wanted to do both, but I understand that school is much more important right now,” she said. However, she still watches cooking shows to get new ideas for her business.

6 . English Poetry Competition of 2022

Enter your poem for a chance to win something! Our poetry contest is held twice a year. Write a poem about how the pandemic (疫情) has changed your life.

Prizes

The contest awards one first place prize of $2,000 and a first prize wall plaque ($100 value); twenty second place prizes of $100 each and a second place wall plaque ($75 value); one hundred third place winners of a third place wall plaque ($25 value).

Rules

Follow all rules carefully to prevent disqualification (取消资格).

IMPORTANT:

☆Poet must be at least thirteen years of age.

☆Only one poem per person, per family is allowed.

☆A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person centering the contest.

☆All entries are judged anonymously (匿名地). Please do not include your name, address, phone number, etc., or your entry will be disqualified.

Deadline: Email your entry by 31st May 2022.

Length: 42 lines max. No minimum. Title not included in the line count.

Format: Entries must be typed. We do not accept handwritten submissions.

Fees: £10 per poem.

Judging: The judges’ decision is final and no individual correspondence (通信) can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries. Judging is fair.

Copyright: Worldwide copyright of each entry remains with the author but the Bridport Prize has unrestricted rights to publish the winning and highly praised poems.

8 . The world has spent a long time living with the pandemic. But many people have become lazy about protecting their safety. Are you spending time indoors and unmasked with trusted friends? Or eating in restaurants or making more trips to the grocery store? New types of COVID-19 mean you should try to cut back on exposure. And where you can, double down on basic safety.     1    .     .

Wear masks

The N95 mask is the gold standard. It may cost too much or be hard to find. A cloth mask does a good job of filtering particles that cause infection.     2     — two cloth layers with a filter in the middle. Double masking is the best answer when you find yourself around strangers. The KF94 mask is a good bet.

    3    

If you go to the store two or three times a week, cut back to once a week. If you have been spending 30 to 45 minutes in the grocery store, cut down your time in the store.     4    . If you are waiting in line, be mindful of staying at least six feet apart from the people ahead and behind you. Try using delivery services or curbside pickup.

Spend less time indoors with people who are not from your household. If you must spend time with others, wear your best mask. Be sure any space is well ventilated (通风)(open windows and doors). Keep the visit as short as possible.     5    

The coronavirus vaccine may or may not be the solution. As of now, you are the best answer. Take care. Do not let your guard down!

10 . Waba, a middle school teacher from South Dakota, is praised for helping one of his students with her math homework.

Last week, Waba received an email from 12-year-old Rylee who_________a math problem which she couldn’t understand. He_________with some written instructions but he could tell that she was_________puzzled, which made him_________and he decided to do something.

_________Waba knew that Rylee_________not far from his house, he took a whiteboard and_________Rylee’s home so he could explain the_________from the outside of the window, while_________social distancing guidelines because of the spread of the coronavirus(新冠病毒). He then spent the next ten minutes giving a one-on-one__________to Rylee as she took__________from inside her home.

“I’m a__________communicator face-to-face than through emails and I think students__________better that way,” Waba said. “Teachers all across the nation have been thrown into a__________situation like this. I hope the situation ends soon. I think we’re all more__________being in front of our classes and that’s where we’d rather be.”

When it seemed like Rylee finally__________the problem, Waba said goodbye and headed home. Before he left, however, Rylee’s father took a photo of the__________story and posted it on Twitter.

Although thousands of social media users have__________Waba for his effort, he later said this was what he should do because it was just part of the__________“That’s what teachers are looking for—those smiles, ” Waba said gladly. “That’s the__________of being a teacher.”