August 2016

Page 1

Neil Marches back to PHS band director Cooper neil returns to conduct band for sixth year

Page 2D

The Booster Redux Pittsburg High School 1978 E. 4th Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Vol. 100, Issue 1 www.boosterredux.com

Friday, August 19, 2016

Beating the bell Admin revises attendance policy, y, excessive absences now result in credit loss Midway through his junior year, repeatedly hitting the snooze button on his alarm clock minutes before the beginning of his first class became the ordinary for senior Aaron Clark.

Thespians perform throughout summer drama dept. sponsors theater camp Page 3D

Home-court advantage Tennis team breaks in new courts

Clark has requested to remain anonymous due to the privacy of the subject. quences. However, sleeping in did not come without consequences. After 21 unexcused days of missing school, Clark became truant and received a court summons. h month to As a result, he meets with a probation officer each ensure he attends school regularly. “I regret being truant because it’s a hassle for me and anent my mom,” Clark said. “Also, it will go on my permanent record.” h After witnessing Clark’s truancy case, along with numerous others, principal Jon Bishop knew it was time for a change in the attendance policy. “We don’t want truancy,” Bishop said. “We are trying to avoid truancy at all costs.” In order to improve attendance, administration created a new attendance policy that will be implemented this 2016-2017 school year. “Our number one goal is to have students attend school on a regular basis,” assistant principal Chris Garzone said. “We felt that if we tightened up our policy, it would encourage students to come to school.” According to counselor Gina Ulbrich, the revised policy is simpler to comprehend and follow. “This attendance policy is very cut and dry,” Ulbrich said. “It’s much easier to understand.” The new policy limits students to only being able to accumulate nine absences a semester. Excused and in-school absences, referred to as skipping class, are included in these nine absences. However, school activities are not. mit for Ulbrich believes nine absences is a reasonable limit students to follow. “In a job, the limit for absences is ten per year,” Ulbrich said. “Nine absences is very lenient.” ttend a However, unlike last years policy, parents must attend ces. meeting as soon as their student reaches five absences. “We’re not going to wait until a student reaches nine absences or exceeds them,” Garzone said. “At five absences, we have a ng on and see if parent meeting, talk to each other about what’s going [the absences] are something we can work around.”” ho exceed the Consequences will be established for students who absence limit. If a student exceeds the limit of nine absences forr any reason, then the student and their parents are required to meet with administration to discuss the student’s status for earning credit for the class. “The ultimate opportunity of losing credit is the biggest disadvantage of this ose credit for a class.” policy,” Ulbrich said. “Nobody wants a student to lose Nonetheless, Ulbrich believes the tolerance of thee absence limit makes up for the risk of losing credit. n play into risk,” Ulbrich said. “Nine absences is so lenient that it should not even However, attendance and truancy are not the onlyy issues addressed by the new policy. The new policy also addresses the issue of tardies. lt of the five-minute passing time in between Bishop believes many students are tardy as a result classes. Continued on Page 2D

story

Page 4D

Nicole konopelko @nicolekonopelko

graphic

Admin welcome new assistant PHS alum returns as administrator JOURNEY JARAMILLO

cheers to coaches cheer squad welcomes new coaches Page 4D

@journeybutcher

As she applied for the position, assistant principal Kelynn Heardt hoped not only for a chance to be an administrator, but to be a Dragon again. A product of Pittsburg schools, Heardt graduated from PHS in 1995. After hearing about the opening, Heardt immediately knew it was the job she wanted. “Pittsburg is my home. I grew up a Dragon and, at this point in my career, I am ready to transition into this leadership role at PHS, a place that is special to me,” Heardt said. “I am passionate about my work as an educator and have always had a pride for my hometown, so this opportunity was one I had to seek.” Heardt spent the past 12 years at Baxter Springs High School (BHS) teaching English, P.E. and girls strength and conditioning. She also was involved by advising yearbook and newspaper and coached volleyball as well. “I feel so fortunate to once again be back home, but Baxter became a second home to me. [The students and staff of BHS] have been a part of my family for a long time, I will undoubtedly miss them.” Shifting from a Baxter classroom to a new office, Heardt believes PHS is where she belongs and the place to jump start her administrative career.

“I view this new role as the perfect opportunity to work on a team of proven leaders [who] are successful,” Heardt said. “It will allow me to learn and grow in my leadership while sharing my experience and strengths.” When filling the open position, principal Jon Bishop was hoping for a hard worker with a compatible personality. “[Heardt] has the ability to relate to high school students as well as teachers,” Bishop said. “[I was searching for] someone who is self-driven and works well within a team.” When she was selected for the position in May, Heardt was elated. “I felt extremely humbled and blessed to come back home and work for a district that provided me the foundation to be successful in my post-secondary education and beyond,” Heardt said. Ahead of the new school year, Heardt is excited to get involved and meet new faces. “I am most looking forward to becoming a part of the PHS family by getting to know students, staff and parents. I care about relationships and investing in people,” Heardt said. “I [cannot wait] to watch everything from sporting events to debate tournaments to theatrical productions and everything in between. I am also looking forward to adding a lot more purple to my wardrobe.”

Grace Palmer @ @TheGracePalmer

2016-2017 BELL SCHEDULE 1st Period

8:10 - 8:59

Study Hall

9:04 - 9:27

2nd Brkfst

9:27 - 9:37

2nd Period 9:37 - 10:26 3rd Period

10:31 - 11:20

4th Period

11:20 - 12:43

1st Lunch

11:20 - 11:48

2nd Lunch

11:48 - 12:13

3rd Lunch

12:13 - 12:43

5th Period

12:48 - 1:37

6th Period

1:42 - 2:31

7th Period

2:36 - 3:25


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.