Vol. 11, No. 1 www.cbhscircuit.com
18600 Vista Park Blvd., Weston, Fla. 33332 Cypress Bay High
September 2012 (754)-323-0350
UNLUCKY SEVEN STRIKES
Plan out enough time for work from all seven classes.
Don’t waste time on Twitter or Facebook.
Use the extra time to study.
Make sure to work recreation into the day.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NETA BRONFMAN
All booked up: consequences of the new schedule result in mixed reviews BY PAIGE LEVIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
More than a month into the school year, students, teachers and administrators alike are still adapting to the school’s scheduling shift. In keeping with Broward County School Board policy, the Bay made the switch to a straight seven-class schedule this year after previously running on
block scheduling since opening its doors in 2002. Among many other changes, the switch has prompted a longer school day, shorter class times and more classes per day. “I think it’s been an adjustment for everybody,” said Marlene Sanders, head of guidance. “The long lunch periods have been an adjustment, and there have been a lot of requests for class transfers because students
signed up for advanced classes and didn’t realize the workload it would be.” For many, the biggest challenge of the eight-period day has been coping with the addition of three academic class periods. Junior Laine Henkel said she can’t stand the new schedule because she feels she is not getting as much out of her courses as she would have on block, especially with her two AP courses.
“I hate it,” Henkel said. “Going into junior year, I was WHUULÀHG HQRXJK RI WKH ZRUNload that I was going to receive and then to have to handle all seven classes at once...honestly the thought of it alone gave me a headache. Now I feel like it’s not even possible to get anything done.” With 50-minute periods
Teens need 9 hours of sleep each night. Keep an agenda or make lists to boost HIÀFLHQF\ Develop a relationship with teachers.
Schedule changes, page 9
GRAPHIC BY SARA GAGGIA
Bay welcomes 2 new assistant principals BY REBECCA RUBIN MANAGING EDITOR
Two new assistant principals are on campus this year due to a school board approved budget to add an additional assistant principal after previous assistant principal Haleh Darbar was promoted to principal at Everglades Elementary. Principal Scott Neely hired Kassandra Gordon, who was previously an assistant principal at Falcon Cove Middle School, while the school board relocated Debra Santoro-Hubert, who was previously an assistant principal at Nova High School. Ms. Gordon was a teacher at the Bay before working at Falcon Cove for three years, and
said she is grateful to be back. dent Education, and Response to “When the opportunity be- Intervention departments, said came available, I jumped at the previously working at the Bay chance to work with the won- has been advantageous in her rederful peoturn. ple and great “I know kids,” she “When the a lot of the said. “I al- opportunity became people always loved ready so I Cypress Bay available, I jumped at don’t have like a home. the chance to work to build all I just want with the wonderful new relationto add to ships,” she the sense of people and great said. “I am community kids.” dealing with and spirit of - assistant principal the same such a wonstudents and derful envi- Kassandra Gordon I know the ronment.” community.” Ms. GorMs. Sandon, who now monitors guid- toro-Hubert said the size of the ance, science, Exceptional Stu- student body has been a big dif-
YOU SHOULD KNOW...
ference in comparison to Nova High. “This place is run like a small college campus, and the students act like it,” she said. “It’s twice the size of Nova.” Mr. Neely said the new assistant principals have made seamless transitions. “I’m elated we got a wonderful pick,” he said. “You’ll always miss your stars because you’ve developed with them over the years, but now we will all get to know these guys.” Ms. Santoro-Hubert, who is now in charge of master scheduling and testing, said she hopes to make the new eight-period schedule an easier transition. “My experience with scheduling and budget are things I
hope to bring here,” she said. Coming from a middle school, Ms. Gordon said it has been a big difference with the students. “It’s nice that there aren’t as many discipline issues, and I am able to see the Falcon Cove kids grow and develop,” she said. “I DOVR JHW WR ZRUN ZLWK VSHFLÀF GHpartments and teachers.” Mr. Neely said assistant principals Jeff Nelson and Marianela Estripeaut have worked with Ms. Gordon and Ms. SantoroHubert, and they have formed a strong organization for teachers, students and parents. “We have new blood, new thoughts and new processes to move things along,” he said. “In the end, it’s all about the Bay.”
Who
the
new
teachers
are
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page
2
How
students
are
spending
the
50-‐minute
lunch
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What
the
new
resource
center
is
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page
4
Which
Lightning
athletes
ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚ
over
the
summer
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page
29
Why
the
dress
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How
textbooks
are
being
distributed
this
year
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