By Darren Cooney
CHHS is undergoing some renovation soon, most notably in the Language department. After universal approval of Administration's plan to remove walls in the Language wing, the Board of Construction (now rebranded as the Board of Destruction) recently rolled out an idea: removing all the walls - everywhere. While this “Open Learning” model, as they call it, seems extreme, this isn’t the first time it’s been used. A 20000 B.C. study by the Grok Institute found that children learn to hunt more efficiently when outside versus inside caves. Mr. Maxam theorized that destroying the school would facilitate a more collaborative environment, as students and teachers fashion supplies out of sticks and rocks. “It opens the door for students to pursue projects in their future career fields,” he said of the plan. “We will, however, literally all be in one field.”
Some have voiced concerns over Open Learning’s cost. “It seems like a good idea,” said language teacher Mrs. Rhoades, “but I’m a little concerned about the financial side of things: I mean, destroying the school will take a lot of dynamite, and they haven't specified whether students will be in the building during the demolition process”. Others are excited to try a new model of teaching. "I'm glad they finally got all my emails," said Mrs. Alamprese.
Alongside destroying the school, Superintendent Walker proposed a new floor plan to maximize student productivity and encourage interdisciplinary learning.
His plan divides the school into English, Math, Science, and History zones, each controlled by their respective teachers. The zones rotate every forty minutes. During each rotation, the remaining teachers (language, P.E., etc) can claim territory in the middle zone. The bell announcing rotations has been replaced by Mrs. Dubak yelling into a megaphone.
Open Learning's proponents argue that it presents unique opportunities, especially in Inter-district collaboration. "Students fleeing CHHS will probably go to Lakeland or Hen-Hud. It would be great to see more Croton representation in high schools that aren't ours," said Mr. Maxam.