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THE /IEW VOL. XII NO. 1 October 2017 A Castle View High School Publication 5254 N. Meadows Dr., Castle Rock, Colo. 80109

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Photo by Annabelle Kiyan

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STAND WITH HONOR

SHOWDOWN SEASON

THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT

NORTH KOREA’S NUCLEAR THREAT

“The Germans have really good food so I try to recreate that,”said senior Katherine Walden.

The battle of the grades leads the senior and sophomore classes to victory over their competitors.

“I try to have the best grades and try to be the best at sports like football,” said freshman Cameron Jackson.

“Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well-reasoned decision,” said president, Donald Trump.

CHARTER

Jennifer Clemente

to or not to charter?

S

chool is just school, right? Not necessarily. With the recent opening of Renaissance Secondary School (RSS) in Castle Rock, CO, the relevance of charter schools has been brought upon students at Castle View High School (CVHS).

“I am sort of glad that a new school has been made for middle and high school levels, especially with so many kids that age in Castle Rock now,” said junior Morgan Knuesel. “But as I said with charter schools, it definitely has pluses and minuses.”

There are many differences between public schools and charter schools, but the biggest contrasting factor has to do with the different educational requirements and programs implemented at each.

According to publicschools.org, “The public school’s general curriculum and program are customized by the state.”

Charter schools, however, give students an opportunity to find a school system and educational program that meets their needs and allows them to learn the way they want to. “[Charter schools] operate with freedom from some of the regulations that are imposed

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

upon district schools,” said uncommonschools. org.

RSS, unlike most traditional high schools, was built on the foundation of relationships rather than academics. Students are pushed to the limits of their academic abilities, but are also encouraged to form close relationships with their teachers and fellow students.

“RSS is intentionally small so that we can get to know each student deeply, and can personalize learning to best meet the needs of each and every learner,” said principal Debra Rabideau.

Someone who shares this goal is Steve Jenkins, Facilitator of Innovation at RSS and former math teacher at Castle View. Jenkins taught in a somewhat unconventional way, promoting relationships and self-guidance, rather than teaching textbook style. “[I] spent the last three years at Castle View exploring the power of an autotelic classroom that provided the students with the opportunity to take charge of their learning,” said Jenkins.

This is the embodiment of what Jenkins envisions for his school, and how he would like his new students to learn. However, not everybody is a fan of such practices.

UNCHARTERED TERRITORY

“I, personally, don’t really care for being in a class structured like Mr. Jenkins’,” said junior Maya Heinselman. “It gives too much freedom to some of the students who opt to socialize with their friends instead of actually learning.”

Just because a school runs differently than a traditional public school does not necessarily mean it’s better or produces better results, as confirmed by analyst Jim Hull of Data First when he stated that the majority of students (83 percent perform either worse or equal in a charter school than they would have in a traditional school.

Alan Singer from the Huffington Post agrees, stating, “The reality is that despite their claims, charter schools cannot perform educational miracles.”

While one school and structure might work great for one student, the same structure may actually be detrimental to a someone else’s education.

“I know some kids work really well in an environment that focuses on their individual interests and this can really help them to figure out what they want to do with their lives,” said Heinselman. “It depends on the student.”

THE IMPACT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS ON CV

Photo by Jennifer Clemente

Q:

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF RENAISSANCE SECONDARY SCHOOL (RSS)?

“

I think it’s difficult any time you open a new school...but I have a feeling that school, you know, may compete a little bit with Castle View.

Q: Q:

DO YOU THINK THE NEW SCHOOL WOULD BE A THREAT TO CASTLE VIEW?

“

Yeah maybe. Hopefully instead of being in competition with each other, we can join forces.

HOW IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE (THE PRIMARY PHILOSOPHY AT RSS) DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL METHODS? I would probably say the biggest difference is I really try to let the students own the classroom. I really just try to get out of their way instead of get in the way of what’s going on.

“

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CORR, REX

KIMBERLY, RACE

Jennifer Clemente Photo by Jane Boyd

Q:

WHAT ARE YOUR OVERALL THOUGHTS ON RENAISSANCE SECONDARY SCHOOL (RSS)?

“

I welcome the conversation of other schools in our community, but I really believe that Castle View’s a great fit for the vast majority of our students.

Q: Q:

DO YOU THINK THAT, IN ANY WAY, RSS POSES A THREAT TO CV IN THE SENSE OF TAKING STUDENTS AWAY FROM CV? No, I don’t. Castle View has always been a choice for a lot of students and I think it will continue to be.

“

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON MR. JENKINS (FACILITATOR OF INNOVATION AT RSS AND FORMER MATH TEACHER AT CASTLE VIEW)?

Mr. Jenkins is a fantastic teacher. I wish him the very best with this experience and with the opportunity he has at Renaissance.

“

HURRICANE harvey HOW CASTLE VIEW IMPACTED A HIGH SCHOOL IN BELLARIE TEXAS Garrett Stein

Hurricane Harvey ripped through Texas with 130 miles per hour Out of the 3400 students that go to Bellaire, 855 were directly winds on Aug. 25 through Sept. 3. Even though Harvey has died impacted by the storm and are in need of clothes and basic out, Texans are still struggling to get back on their feet. necessities. Thankfully the community still has access to Old Navy Castle View’s dean of students has started a fundraiser where all and J.C. Penney. funds go towards students from Bellaire High School located in “The need that we’ve gotten from Bellaire High School’s principal Bellaire, Texas. This idea came from, Amanda and from one of their communication directors “Many of my friends were was to raise money in the form of gift cards,” Malson. a part of the mandatory “I think that the biggest thing is that I said Malson. “20 to 25 dollar amounts to give evacuation due to rising recognized that the second it happened to their students so we could directly impact a rivers and reservoirs after student in need right away.”

I put myself in the position if something the rain decreased. I did catastrophic were to happen to our entire Bellaire’s community has grown closer in this have many coworkers, community and affected this entire school,” time of crisis. Students have started to get into friends, and students suffer groups and help gut homes that have flooded. said Malson. “I would feel helpless, not being extensive damage to their Other groups went to volunteer at the shelters, at able to help {my students}.” homes and property during donation centers, and at day camps for children Malson’s best friend of 17 years, Casey Toy the storm.” has been teaching English at Bellaire High “It’s beautiful to see people rise up to support School for six years. one another,” said Toy. “It didn’t matter if you - CASEY TOY Toy’s house sustained minimal damage, were close or worked in the same department, while her friends and family had a much everyone wanted to help.” rougher time.

Castle View has already sent two shipments of “Many of my friends were a part of the mandatory evacuation due 68 20 to 25 dollar gift cards to the school. However, Bellaire has to rising rivers and reservoirs after the rain decreased,” said Toy. gotten more donations than just Castle View’s.

“I did have many coworkers, friends, and students suffer extensive “The community around our school has been wonderful. The damage to their homes and property during the storm.” number of donations has been overwhelming,” said Toy.

DATES

important

*All information from The Caller Times

Garrett Stein

THE DAY BY DAY OF HURRICANE HARVEY

AUG. 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Hurricane Harvey strengthens to a category four with wind speeds of 130 miles per hour.

Harvey makes landfall in San Jose Island.

Harvey’s center moves into the Gulf of Mexico with winds of 45 miles per hour.

Tropical storm and storm surge warnings extend to Louisiana.

Rain continues to fall causing flooding.

President Donald Trump visits Corpus Christi.

Hurricane Harvey weakness to a category three with winds of 125 miles per hour.

Harvey makes second landfall in Copano Bay.

Hurricane Harvey, now a tropical storm, makes third landfall west of Cameron, Louisiana.

Harvey then weakness to a tropical depression.

Harvey begins to move slowly southeast towards Houston.

National Hurricane Center tracks Harvey’s remnants.

The government increases National Guard to 24,000.

The View | FEATURE |

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superstitions

FOR THE WIN

SMALL THINGS ATHLETES DO TO GET THE BIG WIN FOR THEIR TEAM.

Rachel Bahcman

The roar of the crowd, the bright glow from the stadium lights, and the pressure to win can be a lot for athletes to bare.

For some athletes they see their performance as a reflection of them, their team, and their whole school. It can become overwhelming and make a person second guess their ability to fulfill the high expectations that are set for them.

According to the website Scientific American, “People facing situations that induce anxiety typically take comfort in engaging in preparatory activities, inducing a feeling of being back in control and reducing uncertainty.”

Whether it’s wearing a certain pair of socks or doing a team warm up, superstitions can make a difference in a player’s performance.

Payton Phillips, former softball coach and current teacher, is fully aware that superstitions can positively and negatively

affect a player’s performance.

“I think it just gives them more selfconfidence,” said Phillips. “I know when I was in softball if I didn’t have a certain stance or if I got into the batter’s box and I didn’t do my warm up, I knew I would be off.”

Junior cornerback Anthony Guerrero knows that it’s crucial to do his team warm up before a game. It helps him get the head space that something bad may happen during a game, that way it won’t show on the field.

“It’s just trying to get your mind set for what’s going to happen. Obviously, there’s going to be bad things that happen during the game,” said Guerrero. “Just kind of get that mindset that it’s going to happen, and don’t get so frustrated.”

Sometimes just picturing the game can be enough for some athletes to dominate.

Linnea Wilsenach, senior varsity volleyball player, knows that visualizing before a game

is essential when it comes to making strong plays. If she fails to do it before a game, it significantly affects her.

“Because I’m so used to envisioning what I wanna do in a game,” said Wilsenach. “I’m really used to a schedule so I think it would really mess with like how I would play.“

“People facing situations that include anxiety typically take comfort in engaging in preparatory activities, including a feeling of being back in control and reducing uncertainty.”

-SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

Photo by Lillian Henak

1. ON THE SIDE Cornerback junior Anthony Guerrero stands on the side of the field during the homecoming game. He watches his team battle against the Rock Canyon football.

“It’s just trying to get your mind set for what’s going to happen. Obviously, there’s going to be bad things that happen during the game,” said Guerrero. “Just kind of get that mindset that it’s going to happen, and don’t get so frustrated.”

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hitting

FRESHMAN AMBER RYCHLIK DEFIES EXPECTATIONS BY BECOMING A FRESHMAN ON VARSITY LILLIAN HENAK

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mber Rychlik first started playing softball at the age of seven, now at the age of 15 Rychlick is a freshman and has reached her goal of being on the varsity softball team.

Softball wasn’t the first sport Rychlik played, she first started with golf and quickly realized it wasn’t where she belonged.

“My dad mentioned me trying softball and I gave it a go and I loved it,” said Rychlik.

When Rychlik turned eight she went straight into competitive softball, it only went up from there, becoming her first priority.

“I spend most of my time playing,” said Rychlik.

It’s her way of life and it has been ever since she started.

When high school softball isn’t in season Rychlik plays competitive softball for Adrenaline.

“I play for a 16u [16 and under] competitive team named adrenaline and we start our season up in January/ February to end of summer” said Rychlik, “while we also have practices in fall and some tournaments, but our real season starts January/February.”

Rychlik plays in center field and is first in the batting line up for Castle View. She credits her parents for her success this season.

“My parents are so supportive, like my dad is always helping me and if I’m doing something wrong like in a hitting slump he is always trying to help me be the best I can,” Rychlik said. “My mom has literally came to like all my games in my entire life she is always supporting me on the sideline and rarely ever misses a game.”

Rychlik is looking forward to what the future holds for her and her college career. She plans to continue it into the future for years to come.

“I want to play college softball so badly. I really want to go D1 [Division One]; that’s been my goal ever since I was little. I really wanna go back to the east coast where I’m from and play there,” said Rychlik.

Over the course of this season her teammates have encouraged Rychlik and made her feel like a part of the team from the start.

“My teammates are actually so supportive. I get called “freshman” by all of them and the coaches, but it’s so fun and they are always cheering for me just as much as they would for anyone else because they still believe in me in any situation.”

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Photo by Lillian Henak

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1. BATTER UP Freshman Amber Rychlik patiently awaiting her turn to bat. She watches a upperclassmen teammate hit the pitch. “I was pretty excited. I thought it was a great opportunity to bond with the upperclassmen and be able to play the best of the best in the varsity high school level,” she said. 2. LEAD OFF HITTER Rychlick hits first in the batting

lineup. It allows her to have the opportunity to give the team a strong start. “I wanna play college softball so badly. I really wanna go D1 [division one], that’s been my goal ever since I was little. I really wanna go back to the east coast where I’m from and play there” said Rychlik. 3. SWINGING FOR THE FENCES Rychlik follows through with a swing that got her a double and propelled her into scoring position. She was able to help her team out with her talent. “I spend most of my time playing” said Rychlik.

The View | SPORTS |

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PASSION

defending

FROM PUERTO RICO TO CASTLE VIEW, FRESHMAN SOCCER PLAYER KEEPS HIS SOCCER CAREER ALIVE BY MAKING VARSITY Blake Wilson

Freshman Enrique Mujica begins at the what I love to do. I would love to make bottom of the totem pole when starting high a living out of this and hopefully get a school, but not on his high school soccer scholarship,” said the starting left back. team.

Soccer is a favorite in Puerto Rico, and The freshman has shocked this year’s new Mujica is looking forward to bringing a varsity team with his amazing skills and better chance and opportunity to make success. soccer a bigger sport in the U.S. “Starting varsity is a great opportunity,” “I want to go help kids in Puerto Rico and said Mujica. have camps there to get better at the game,” Mujica has been a soccer player for two said Mujica. years and counting and is from Puerto Rico “There were a lot of players that tried and strives to be a great player. out this year. I never knew it would come “I love getting the practice in, especially to this. The opportunity I have to bring trying to reach my goals which is being a success to this school with my team is professional in the future,” said Mujica. gonna be a fantastic start to my education Sophomore and teammate Parker Landry and game,” said Mujica. appreciates Mujica Senior Dillon “Our practice pays off attributing his skills O’Connor agrees about every day. We look better on varsity.

Mujica’s skill and game. and better every game. We “He’s a good “Enrique is something. are getting used to being player, he comes I have never seen this a team and improving our from a lot of good of a player. I game 110 percent” experience so definitely didn’t expect he knows the seeing a freshman like expectations and this. He’s a stud, plays -ENRIQUE MUJICA what he needs to with so much heart and do to help the team. He has a huge impact an amazing leader,” said O’ Connor. on this team and we’re all grateful to have “Being on the field with him and him,” said Landry. competing against different teams with him He is very glad he has the opportunity to is great, he’s an amazing kid and player and play for his school and be part of a team everyone loves him,” said Landry. that has a ton of potential.

As the season is flying by Mujica has “The season is very fun right now and bonded with his teammates he’s very I love being recognized. It’s more than I comfortable and has started something very expected and it’s very good for me to be a special. freshman and make varsity.”

“Our practice pays off. We look better and “We’re family, I love my teammates and I’m better every game. We are getting used to very excited to be a part of a journey these being a team and improving our game 110 next three years,” said Mujica. percent,” said Mujica.

“Soccer is my life; it’s therapy and it’s 1. LEADING ATTACK Freshman Enrique Mujica watches the play from across the field as he prepares to defend if the

play switches sides. He stays big on defense when leading the Sabercats Varsity soccer team to a two to zero win over rivals Douglas County. “It was a big win for us. It means everything to this team to beat DC. I felt good,” said Mujica. 2. REST Freshman Enrique Mujica walks back to his position after a he led a play down to the DC goal line. He lead the Sabercats into multiple plays after the ball switched sides. “There were a lot of players that tried out this year, I never knew it would come to this. The opportunity I have to bring success to this school with my team is gonna be a fantastic start to my education and game,” said Mujica. 3. ONTO THE FIELD Enrique Mujica takes the field after a short break on the second half of the game. He goes back to defense to keep the Douglas County Huskies from scoring securing their two to zero win. “Soccer is my life, it’s therapy and it’s what I love to do, I would love to make a living out of this and hopefully get a scholarship,” said the starting left back.

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| SPORTS | The View

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Photos by Blake Wilson

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work hard

PLAY HARDER

CASTLE VIEW’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM MOVES UP IN THE RANKINGS

Dmitriy Rose and Avery Hajde

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astle View continued their winning streak to score an exhausting and long five set win over Mountain Vista on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Castle View girls varsity has so far been dominating the season by becoming number one in the state. With the win, the Sabercats moved to two to zero in early conference play. The wins have moved Castle View volleyball team over the second ranked high school team, Mountain Vista. Castle View led Mountain Vista two sets to one before losing set four 25-18.

Which led to a confident fifth set where the Sabercats score a 15-11 to stay unbeaten against opponents in the state of Colorado.

“We’re kind of the team that doesn’t really let the ranking get to our head and we just go into every practice and give 100% and I think that 1. POST-GAME Senior Kate Menz bounces the ball to get set up for her serve, with sophomore ––Leanne Lowry ready to receive the ball if the opposing team is able

we will keep on doing well all throughout the season,” said varsity libero Leanne Lowry.

Players that led a victory at the Mountain Vista game included Kate Menz, Holly Schmidt, Ashley Echols, Genna Ryan-Piasecki, Leanne Lowry and Laney Hershiser.

“At the end of a game I get this awesome feeling of relief, but I also get a lot of excitement from the crowd being there,” said Leanne Lowry.

Overall the Sabercats finished with 60 kills in 195 attacks. This game was important because it determined if the girl’s Castle View team would be ranked number one in the state.

“I believe that we will keep achieving even with some set backs,”said junior varsity setter Shea Mullens. “We want to finish the season strong.” to return it. After the ball crossed the net the ball was returned back and forth before the Sabercats took the point later winning that set. “We’re kind of the team that

SWINGING on to STATE

Photo by Jane Boyd

doesn’t really let the ranking get to our head, and we just go into every practice and give 100% and I think that we will keep on doing well all throughout the season,” said varsity libero Leanne Lowry.

TWO CASTLE VIEW BOYS’ GOLFERS PLACE HIGH IN REGIONALS AND EARN SPOTS IN THE 5A STATE TOURNAMENT

JOSHUA HERMANSTORFER

Senior Dillon Baker drives a shot deep on the fairway of the 5th hole during the 5A Central Regional boys’ golf tournament.

With that stroke, he put himself in great position to birdie the hole.

After completing the birdie, he solidified a strong start which put him in great position to finish the tournament in fifth place, earning a bid to state.

Freshman Casey Jacobsen also finished in the top 20, allowing him to qualify for the state tournament as well. Together, they became the third boys’ duo in a row to compete at state for Castle View. For the both of them, it will be the first time competing at the state level in high school.

Baker has high aspirations for his first chance to compete for a title.

“The goal is to be in the top 10,” said Baker. “It would mean the work paid off over summer and to know you’re one of the best in the state.”

Jacobsen, the first freshman to ever compete at state for boys’ golf at Castle View, doesn’t really know what to expect from the other competition at the state level.

“I’m a little nervous, but I think I’ll be alright,” said Jacobsen. “I’ve been feeling it pretty much every tournament this year.”

The state golf tournament is to be held October second and third at Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado.

WANT MORE? Keep up with this story on cvstudentmedia.com. Online story coming out 10/5.

Photo by Joshua Hermanstorfer

ON THE GREEN Senior Dillon Baker walks toward the flag following a chip shot that

landed on the green of the fourth hole of the boys’ Central Regional golf tournament.

Baker plans on playing golf in college after he graduates this spring. “I was going to probably go to a college where I want to go and then decide to walk on if I don’t get an offer,” said Baker.

The View | SPORTS |

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OUR VIEWSand thoughts NORTH KOREA’S NUCLEAR THREAT HOW CAN WE DE-ESCALATE TENSIONS WITH ONE OF THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE NATIONS IN THE WORLD? Lemuel Scarbrough

It’s no secret that North Korea and the United States have been long time foes, but with Donald Trump halfway through his first year in office, things have reached a critical point, and citizens all over the world fear nuclear war.

While the seed of this abusive relationship was mainly planted during the Korean War, the most recent stirrings have been over nuclear weapons tests and the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (I.C.B.M.S)

by North Korea (BBC News).

With the notoriously unstable Kim Jong Un heading the Korean side, and the widely debated Trump leading the American side, it’s easy to see why the situation may seem to many like a nuclear disaster waiting to happen.

But the situation may be more stable than meets the eye, due to a little thing called the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty.

Article II of this treaty between China and North Korea,“declares the two nations undertake all necessary measures to oppose any country or coalition of countries that might attack either nation.” This means that if the United States - or any other nation for that matter - were to strike first, China would step in to defend North Korea, eliminating any option the U.S. had to launch a preemptive strike.

On the flip side, China stated that, in the event North Korea strikes the US first, they

will side with the US. This, along with the threat of huge loss of civilian life is enough to keep either side from making a move militarily.

Ex-White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon said it himself in an interview with The American Prospect. “Until somebody solves the part of the equation that shows me that 10 million people in Seoul don’t die in the first 30 minutes from conventional weapons, I don’t know what you’re talking about, there’s no military solution here, they got us.”

This leaves to question what can be done to stop North Korea from continuously developing their nuclear capabilities and threatening the U.S. and other countries within the cross-hairs of North Korea.

In response to a statement given by Trump, North Korea had threatened to send four ballistic missiles to Guam, but it appears that North Korea has backed off on that threat based on a tweet made by Trump on August 16th.

Trump tweeted out, “Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!”

After this, things seemed to settle down until North Korea unexpectedly launched a missile that headed directly over Japan.

The launch prompted many warnings to citizens via radio, television and public announcement systems in Northern Japan.

Nobody was harmed in the incident, as the missile landed off the coast of Japan.

Although it is great that nobody was harmed, that kind of action by any nation is not acceptable. This is yet another case of North Korea proving its willingness to do anything. The unpredictability cannot be tolerated.

On the third of September, to put the cherry on top, Pyongyang conducted its fifth nuclear test to date. The North claims the bomb used in the test was a hydrogen bomb capable of being placed on top of a ballistic missile.

The Washington Post reported that the missile was, “Powerful enough to sink a roughly 85-acre area on the peak of a mountain above the tunnels where the test likely took place.”

This in concurrence with the missile launch over Japan has prompted the United Nations to take action against North Korea, placing sanctions that reduce the amount of crude and refined oil export to North Korea by roughly 30 percent.

The sanction also bans all textile exports by North Korea in hope that the blow to their already limited economy will hinder their nuclear program enough to find diplomatic means of negotiation.

Overall, the situation in North Korea is an ever-looming threat that will continue to grow if left unhindered. The use of force will only escalate the situation, calling for diplomatic means of negotiation. But the longer the US and other countries wait to step in, the stronger North Korea will grow.

MORE ABOUT NORTH KOREA ON PAGE 8 22

| OPINION | The View

A BREAK IN THE DAY OFF PERIODS HAVE ARRIVED FOR ALL, AND SHOULD BE HERE TO STAY. William Steinbrunner

Throughout my first year at Castle View, I experienced everything your typical freshman would: pep rallies, football games, Showdown and the infamous CV versus DC games. But what really took me by surprise was the enormous workload within weeks of the first term beginning.

In middle school, the teachers tried their best to prepare us for high school. The homework piled on, and we would spend several hours a night doing work. Only it wasn’t enough, because calling that first term last year a wake up call, is most definitely an understatement.

The mandatory off period in general is what saved me from utter collapse freshman year. It was very convenient having it second period only made things better, that way I could finish homework I may have not been able to complete the night before.

I started the year overworked and exhausted practically right off the bat. I somehow managed to make it to the halfway point of my freshman year in one piece, and by the time I joined newspaper, I was introduced to the off period. From the start I felt pure relief.

My first ever off period was 2A off, which meant I went to class every other day.

Although it was only three times a week, the

extra time was very valuable.

I managed to get more work done in school, have more time to study, and when I did not have any particular thing to do, I would have the chance to sit back and catch my breath.

Not only did I complete work for other classes, but also for newspaper itself. I was able to fix edits, take pictures, organize notes, interview, etc. The majority of these things I wasn’t able to fit into my schedule throughout the day.

As the year came to a close, the rumors of off periods becoming mandatory for most students the next year slowly became a reality. Now, most students would have an off period somewhere in their schedule.

Many people like to argue that mandatory off periods aren’t necessary. From my first hand experience, off periods provide valuable time to recharge alongside time to do work.

This year, I have the same off period as last year, and also a first off during 3rd term. Talk about life saving. Sophomore year is where work really begins to pile on, and teachers expectations of you raise ten-fold.

From what I can tell, some students around Castle View do not realize the potential their new off periods could hold. Too many times I have been saved by an extra thirty minutes of work time during my off, and other students can experience this too.

Castle View and its administrators and

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everyone behind this change were definitely keeping the student’s well-being in mind when making such a decision to implement this system.

We need these off periods as a whole, as a body, as a school. There is a plethora of opportunities for students at Castle View to take advantage of this valuable time. Imagine the amount of students that would finish homework, for example, a single period after they received it. This extra allotted time could inspire kids to not procrastinate, and instead show integrity.

There is, however, one downside to these new off periods for everyone, many kids would rather waste their time on their phones, sleep, or head home. Sure, these things are totally acceptable, but students should strive to complete work and study first.

Students need to understand just how important this new change is to our school.

Although it may go unnoticed by some, the introduction of these off hours may be the most drastic and important change in Castle View’s (soon-to-be) twelve year history.

These changes allow students to have more work time, while also maintaining that they also receive all their necessary credits.

Although it may fly under the radar, these changes are very important and provide the perfect learning environment for the average student here at Castle View.

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The View | OPINION |

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