When looking back to middle school, students remember those awkward moments of meeting new classmates and potential friends. The anticipation of being in a new building with new faces, learning material and rules. Even though middle school shaped you into the person and student you are now it is something you hold near your heart when you look back. Now, why has everything we remember changed?
Newly appointed principal, Alicia Angione, has implemented change for the students. To accomplish her goal to make the middle school memorable and positive, she took feedback from her staff and students and used it to make a change.
“I had the opportunity to connect with both staff and students through meet and greets, surveys and smaller group conversations. One theme that consistently came up was the importance of strengthening our school climate and culture,” said Angione.
If the middle school principal is getting the students’ and staff’s voice, why shouldn’t that be the case here at the high school?
There are plans for the Freshman Semiformal to be brought down to the eighth grade. The eighth grade Washington D.C. trip was also brought back, which replaced the eighth grade cruise, as well as many others.
“With that in mind, we’ve started to introduce more opportunities for students and staff to connect and build community, such as Field Day and the 8th-grade dance. These moments help create a positive environment where students feel engaged, supported and excited to be part of WEMS.”
With these plans in place they will have two dances and two field trips, something past years haven’t had. Why can’t the high school bring back traditions and allow more students to go on field trips and attend dances? Not just a field trip for those who take unique electives, but one an entire grade can enjoy. With the Freshman Semiformal being taken away from the high school, high schoolers will have to wait close to three years for their first dance. Why can’t the high school students reap some of the benefits that the middle schoolers are receiving? High school is something that many adults say are the best or worst years of their life, so why can’t we try to make them better by giving students more possibilities to get involved?
So many opportunities are given to younger kids who have plenty of school years to experience the memories they are making now. The middle school deserves everything they are receiving, but so do teens in high school with larger work loads and more stress.
“As for the high school, my leadership team and I are always open to suggestions and ideas,” West Essex High School principal, Dr. Westervelt said. “We listen to the feedback from Student Council and the Student Voice Committee and make changes accordingly.”
The high school should be evolving just like the middle school, but not for the benefit of making the school look good, but for the students’ benefits. The school should have a more uplifting atmosphere with events and things to look forward to, as well as a louder voice for the students. Not everything that has changed for middle school must change in high school, but what can make the school better should be considered.
