FED UP WITH FLEX

MACLAY ADMINISRATION IMPLEMENTS NEW FLEX POLICIES FOR THE 2022-2023 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR

BY AIDENN HAFEZ

Flexing out- think again. Maclay upper school implemented new Flex policies for the 2022-23 school year. These policies went into effect on the first day of school and were reviewed with students during Homeroom on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. This year, juniors and seniors are to stay on campus for Flex unless they have completed the “Flex out form” outlining a legitimate reason to “Flex out.” The biggest change comes to freshmen and sophomores who are required to stay on campus every Flex and attend Freshman and Sophomore Academies during the first Flex of the week. These changes come as the upper school looks to return to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the last two school years. Pre-pandemic, Flex was established as a time for students to meet with teachers, work on class assignments and group projects, enroll in enrichment courses, participate in sports practices and/or to flex out for internships or student jobs. During the pandemic though, Flex’s purpose shifted allowing students to leave campus during this time to limit student numbers on campus. Students have become accustomed to this freedom, but the administration wants to stress the importance of returning to utilizing this period productively.

“While we all know everyone needs some downtime, the

80 minute block after a 30 plus minute lunch should be used by students to make the most of their upper school experience,” Dean of Upper School Student Affairs, Heather Bas said. “Since everyone is different, students can use that time that best fits their needs. Hopefully, this time will allow for quality time once at home, having taken advantage of this time afforded to them in the schedule.”

To make the most of this time, students are encouraged to use it as originally intended- as study time and to further enrich their academic pursuits. In order to achieve this, Maclay will be offering numerous enrichment courses, some examples include SAT Prep, Architecture, Journalism 1 and a Plagiarism Workshop. MARC services will also be open for students to meet with faculty and peer tutors. On top of these opportunities, there will also be new Intramural Sports run by Head Cheer Coach Mr. Ryan Kline.

Faculty members are excited for these opportunities offered to students as they look to encourage utilizing inschool hours as opposed to at home.

“I do believe these changes are necessary,” Spanish teacher Joseph McCann said. “ I believe this privilege has been abused by most students who simply wish to leave at lunch. School ends at 3:00, and unless a student has a job or internship, I believe the baseline expectation of a student is to be at school. As a student who worked through high school and college, this is a privilege that should be afforded to the students who use it for its intended purpose. However, the original intent of Flex has been tainted by those who wish to take advantage of it.”

Some students, however, have a differing perspective.

“I believe that I will not be able to accomplish more schoolwork with this new policy because I focus better when I am at home in my own space,” sophomore Lauren Guyer said. “I learn and understand better when I am in the comfort of my room.”

Upperclassmen are still allowed to “flex out” and leave campus as long as there are no mandatory Flex activities during this time. Freshmen and sophomores will be attending Freshmen and Sophomore Academies on the first Flex of each week. These academies are to help students acclimate to the upper school and explore interests. On the other Flex days, freshmen and sophomore students will be expected to stay on campus; however, the permission to ‘flex out” can be given with administration approval. Every grade level student must participate in occasional Flex activities and therefore cannot “Flex out” on days with the mandatory activities. Moreover, students will need to adjust to staying on campus for Flex more often than last year.

“For me this new Flex policy will affect me mostly during my soccer and lacrosse seasons,” senior Kate Kupiszewksi said. “On days which I’m required to stay for Flex, I will not have time to go home and get ready for practices. I would have to bring all of my practice gear to school along with my backpack, which is a lot to carry and to have ready each day. I think it will affect my teammates in the same way and might make us late to practice more often.”

Starting in September, students can see the calendar for all Flex activities. This will be located in Enews. The “Flex out” form can be found on the FACTS Family Portal.

*174 students surveyed

BY LEAH KIROS

Typically used for sporting events or the occasional pep rally, the Webster gym was embellished with a piano, stage and added seats to prepare for bringing back an annual tradition. On Aug. 12, 2022, Maclay students and faculty gathered in the Webster gym, entering with alumni and board members alike, for Convocation.

Traditions are a core part of Maclay’s history and what brings the school community together to produce Maclay pride. In order to honor that pride, Head of School, Mr. James Milford, implemented Convocation eight years ago in 2015. The motive of Convocation is to kick off the school year with grades one through twelve gathered together to exemplify the one school community and reflect on the upcoming school year. Physics teacher and father, William Perry, has a personal experience with the one school aspect of Convocation.

“The idea of coming together as a school and welcoming [the school year] together is really cool; it gives you that one community feeling,” Perry said.” My daughter didn’t get to be there because she’s in pre-school, but it is funny to look and see my wife on the other side of the aisle. I do like that, especially because I can make faces at her, so that part is fun. I look forward to when [my daughter] is in first grade and gets to do that because I think she’ll have a blast.”

Since the world dealt with the unexpected interruption of COVID-19, Convocation had a two year hiatus, only to