BY SAM PRADO ROBERTS
On Monday, September 16, at 7:00 pm in the Main Building cafeteria, the Board of Education will hold a committee meeting where students, parents, faculty, and community members can discuss the elimination of late buses. This cut will impact students who wish to attend clubs, stay after school for extra help, and stay late for sports.
In past years, students stayed after school for extra help with their classes, but those students may now face greater academic challenges unless they can find their own ride home. “Our students often need a little extra help here and there to understand some of the concepts and skills we go over in class, or to catch up on a lesson if they were absent from class,” said Donna Heidorn, a teacher in the math department.
The removal of late buses included both the 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm buses, leading school administration to block any after school club meetings during the month of September. “We’re going to have to make some adjustments to how we go about our club life here,” said Dr. Sasso in an interview before the year began.
“It will be harder for us to continue to spread the joys of Chinese culture with the rest of the school,” said Karolina Janczuk, the National Chinese Honor Society President. “On top of that, we will also not be able to fundraise as much money for the honors society this year.” The CHS usually holds many events throughout the year and raises funds to grant scholarships to selected seniors.
Some clubs that enter competitions face a disadvantage. “Our competitive drill team, which used to practice until 3:45 PM, now faces challenges because some cadets don’t have transportation home due to working parents,” said Malli Khokhal, the Corps Commander of the Air Force JROTC. Many students used the late buses as their only way to get home.
The lack of late buses will not affect all students equally since many seniors have parking passes and drive their own cars to school. “I am lucky to be a senior that drives, so I am able to get myself to and from any school activities on my own,” said Joseph Lanzafama.
This situation creates an imbalance, allowing some students to stay for help and participate in activities, while others cannot. “How is that fair to students whose parents work full time and are unable to pick them up at 2:45 or 3:00 when I need to leave?” said Heidorn, noting that teachers who stay to provide extra help now need to supervise students until they are picked up.
Members of the school community have mixed opinions on how extra-curricular participation affects college applications. “It’s important that students are involved for colleges but there are other options for them outside of school, like volunteering,” said guidance counselor Laura Martignetti.
Some students have started brainstorming possible solutions and compromises that may prove helpful. “I’d be okay with club meetings having to end before 4, and club meetings only being permitted on days when late buses are available, if it means that more people have the opportunity to join clubs,” said Shrey Patel, a board member of the STEM club.
Affected students understand that daily late buses carry a cost but hope that the committee meeting on Monday will produce a solution. “Once every week or two [late buses] can come and clubs can plan to meet on that day,” Janczuk said.
On Monday, September 16, at 7:00 pm in the Main Building Cafeteria, a committee meeting will be held to discuss the cuts, answer any questions, and discuss possibilities for the service moving forward. All students, parents, faculty, and community members are welcome to attend, voice their concerns, and learn more about the issue.
Posted on 9/11/24
Photos by Sam Prado Roberts
Knight Life 