Back to school:  changes, updates and reminders

Back to school, back to the abyss, back to glory, back to shopping: however you call it,  it's back to business. Two lunches became one, a new student app launched, and the dress code has changed.

A major update of this year is one-lunch. There is only early lunch, the reason for one-lunch is due to the fact that the student body number isn’t at the peak where two lunches are needed. One benefit of one lunch is that students are able to meet with teachers, their extra curricular classes, or friends easier.

“Students are able to meet with their teachers for support, their club advisor during the day, leadership group such as athletic activities and their friends,” said Principal Greg Carridine 

Entertainment Editor Milo Romeo goes into more detail of one-lunch (<LINK STORY HERE).

A new app called Five Star Student. awards points for students and their grade level for attending sports events, school events, or a theme day. It’s a competition where grade levels compete for first place. The first place winner will earn a reward of the school’s choosing. Students can use these points to earn prizes. Prizes can range from gift cards, school supplies, Scott swag, etc.  All events require students to bring their ID card and backpacks are not allowed at events. 

There has been a decreasing enrollments this year, mainly due to a decreased enrollment at the elementary level.  Student body numbers should remain stagnant for the next 5-8 years or so, as David Douglas Elementary Schools are back to their usual enrollment rate.

23 new staff have been hired to the SPED, professional tech, Teacher on Special Assignment, language art department, physical education department, health department, and fine arts department. This includes both certified and classified staff. 

Currently there are plans of remodeling and new construction at David Douglas, sometimes in the spring. As of now they’re in the planning stage.

Vandalized bathrooms such as the Math hallway E and H from the 2022-2023 school year have been fixed and are no longer blocked off.

The science hall is now open after being closed due to an unidentified odor. 

  That is all for the updates and changes of the 2023-2024 school year. Important reminders being that David Douglas continues to be a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave campus by any means during school hours unless excused or otherwise.

“We’ll continue to enforce our closed campus policy as we recover from the pandemic,” 

said Carradine.

Last year the dress code was changed, allowing students to wear hats and hoods as long as the headwear doesn’t obstruct their face or ears, facewear except medical masks are not allowed. With exception for certain circumstances that it would be allowed. An example is if a student has a facial injury that had to be covered up.

Another reminder that students have tools available for students to graduate or succeed in their personal goals. David Douglas has the resources to do such, the resources are dependent on the student. 

Students that struggle academically can check in at the Scot Center located in the North room 122 open from 6am till 4:30pm. Students should notify their teacher before heading to the Scot Center, use it as a quiet place of work, and respect and be responsible for the use of their applications such as calculators, chromebook, and textbooks. Scot Center Coordinator Galen Schmitt can assist in math, science, editing organization, and general study skills. If the student doesn’t struggle with what Schmitt specializes in, a variety of subject period teachers and peer tutors can help with struggling students' needs. The peer tutors are academically successful students with completed credit doing tutoring rather than study hall. with near professional standards, maturity, and integrity.  

“Peer tutors are some of our nicest students,” said Schmitt.

It is recommended to clarify expectations to Schmitt and the students' teachers, and understand exactly what’s being asked to in order for Schmitt and teacher to know in order to succeed. 

“Don’t hesitate to ask what we can help,” said Schmitt. 

Scotts center ends around the same time as the after school program, in which a light dinner is available in both North and South cafeterias. Buses rides home are available in the North building.

The College and Career center is in room number 120 in the north and is Run by career center coordinator Kim Hermans, career center assistant Tiara Primus, and Sharon Ma. Their goal is to help students plan for their future, university/college, scholarships/financial aid, applications, apprenticeships/trades, US Military, resume writing, and applying for jobs.

The counseling office's main goal is to help students graduate and to make school life more comfortable. They support through understanding what the student's life goals are.

“A student should set their own goals and use counseling as an aid to reach their goals,” said counseling center coordinator Sarah Hunt.

The athletic office is located near the attendance office run by athletic director Brad Joy, and athletic secretary Stephanie Matthews. Assist in getting students wanting to get involved in the sports program. It’s a place of athletic information gathering in general and other activities.

Assigning classes comes from student forecasting classes current year for next year. Through email or through talking to their counselor. Students are allowed to switch classes even after schedules are printed and submitted, there is a four week deadline for the start of the school year or next semester. Expectations are made for downgrading a class or extreme cases, in which have a six week deadline instead. If the student fails to change classes before the deadline then they can drop the class, but any credit that has been accumulated will be lost. 

Stressed students can discuss their issue to counselor Lora Alexander, and Cathy Buckly. They provide mental support for stressed out students.

The south Office and north office  have a universal use. Students can talk to the staff for assistance in finding rooms, chromebooks, and bus stops, etc. If the topic is school related the Main Office can help. The north office has a few more uses compared to the south, students can schedule a one on one meeting with Principal Carridine. There is Bookkeeper Mikyla Pruett, she handles Douglas money related applications. Such as renting lockers, purchasing yearbooks, ABS stickers, etc. She does not sell textbooks nor gives them out or any kind of books. 

Attendance offices located next to Athletic office, head there for excuses of absences or for early pick up. It’s where students can turn in their electronics to borrow a chromebook for the day. 

That is the job of the Bookroom located in the north near room 168, runned by Trish Willams. Students come by and check out their classes textbooks, advanced calculators, and chromebooks. In which they have to be returned at the end of the school year. 

The library is located near the north cafeteria, run by Liberians Jennifer DiFrances and Michelle Williams. All forms of books can be found here and checkout with the student ID or ID number. Up to 10 books can be checked out at a time, two weeks, and there are no overdue fees unless the book is missing or damaged. Library is home to two look alike former guide dogs, now therapy dogs, Lady and Elpine.

The nurse’s office is located at the north Hallway where room 141-150 is. Attend for minor injuries or a checkup for possible threatening ones in which they'll point students to the health center. 

The prayer room is located in room 121 run by Carolyn McCulloch. The room welcomes all religions and it’s available till 4:30pm. Religious students can attend during class, lunch, passing time for their prayers and such. Students are expected to be quiet and respect one another's religion.