OP-EDS

Long lines to check in tardy students causes students to be even later to first period

We all know how busy the mornings can be with how bad the school traffic is. Sometimes it is truly unavoidable whether we are late or not. There have been days where there are dozens of students tardy and we have to wait in lines so each student can get a pass. By doing this, students end up being even more late to first period. Students should be able to show up a minute or two late without getting punished.

According to the student handbook, students who arrive at school after 8:20 without a parent note could receive a two hour Saturday school. Students are allowed two tardies per semester, and after that, they must be present for the whole school day to be able to participate in a contest that day.

If athletes are late by even a minute on game day, they aren’t allowed to participate in their game that day.

Last year, administration was more relaxed with tardies. Since there was no bussing, everyone had to drive to school, which caused a lot more traffic. The entire school was trying to adjust to the different school year and adjust to Covid. Mr. Durst said there were more important things for administration to deal with than tardies.

This year, however, the administration has gone back to the pre-Covid tardy rules. Additionally, school starts

an hour earlier than last year. The start time change has been a big adjustment for students, especially for students who were on Zoom last year. They never even had to worry about being tardy. Students are not used to all of these changes. ELLA MORK If the reason there are tardies is because administration doesn’t want students missing out on class material, students should be able to go straight to class and not have to wait in a line for a long time just to get a tardy slip. Instead, first period teachers should be the ones that determine if we are classified as tardy or not and decide if we should be punished. A lot of the time, class is just getting started and we are not missing any content.

“Students should be able to go straight to class and not have to wait in a line for a long time just to get a tardy slip.”

STUDENTS ARE MORE POSITIVE THAN EXPECTED

School spirit, class bonding on the rise thanks to a determined senior class

It is a significant year to be in high school. The 20212022 school year is a lot of trial and error in returning to normal learning. As a community we saw all the negative effects of the pandemic. The increase in arguing, disagreements and tension around every decision being made. Will the students have to wear masks? What senior privileges can we allow kids? Is online learning still an option? What are the Covid protocols? The biggest underlying question, though, is how will the students be affected by each decision made?

Maybe it is because we were in a constantly changing environment last year and the expectations for this year were already low. Maybe it was because we got used to it, but whatever it was, it made the student body come together.

I have noticed more school spirit than ever. Everyone seems to be more involved. This has been seen in extracurriculars, clubs, and supporting at plays, sporting events, etc. This goes against what I originally expected. After a year of online learning and still not everything being back to normal, I figured students would just try to get through another year.

They have done the complete opposite. Students have been so positive and instead of letting all the obstacles bring us down, we have come together because of it. I have seen all the grades grow closer and make the most of everything.

Great examples are Homecoming, Powder Puff and sports in general. People are excited and want to make things happen. We have made sure to bring back the events that we missed

out on to the best of our abilities. I am so happy to see this, especially for my senior year. Our grade has come together and, without a doubt, we have done and will continue to do everything we can to make this year the best it could possibly be. We have DANIELLE VARRASSO made sure to make our voices heard and make significant impacts. We can thank the administration for really listening to the students' voices this year and constantly adapting to the new ideas, but we can also acknowledge the role of the students and the positive outlook they have had. Everyone had a shared sense of determination to have fun and bring back what was taken away.

“Everyone had a shared sense of determination to have fun and bring back what was taken away.”