Sophomore Ah Marri Kan with a dish full of isopods
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.
“Don’t hesitate to ask what we can help,” said Schmitt.