Finalized Calendar

A calendar marks the first day of school, the earliest possible date in accordance with a new Missouri mandate. Because this decision was made with regard to summer tourism instead of to students and school staff, it has been a source of controversy in the state. (Photo by Aidyn Gleason) CALENDAR IS APPROVED

The FHSD Calendar Committee released the finalized calendar for the 2020-2021 school year after a final vote at the end of December. The 2020-2021 school year is set to begin in late August which is the earliest possible date

After taking in the input of community members as well as many other things the committee decided on a calendar in a board meeting that contains some of these key points. Unlike past years when school has started on a Thursday, the first day of school will be on Monday, Aug. 24. Fall break will still happen and it will still be a full week. Final exams, which have in the past occurred the last week before winter break, will be given when students return from break. However, they won’t be given the first week students return, they will be taken in mid January. This gives students a week to review and prepare for finals. Spring break would be a universal spring break meaning that most districts would the same week of spring break. Another key detail is the last day of school. As opposed to it being in mid May, it is scheduled for Friday, May 28. However, if snow days occur, the last days of school could go into June. These are just a few of the key points that this new calendar will entail.

“I will say I feel like the district did a really good job kind of listening to everybody’s input and not just kind of coming up with their own thing, which I think for some people was the perception,” FHN Counselor and Committee member Lorraine Smith said.

Half way through 2019, Missouri Governor, Mike Parsons, signed the bill into law that mandates that Missouri schools can not begin classes earlier than 10 days before Labor Day. Calendar committees, consisting of both students and school administrators, have met to decide, plan and vote on what that calendar might look like. “Basically with this whole calendar they’re just shifting everything two weeks from what it originally was,” Smith said.

The idea of completely changing the school calendar received mixed emotions from the public and while it seems that they didn’t, the public had a strong input into the final decision. A series of surveys and questionnaires were sent out to the public, giving parents and the community the opportunity to provide their input and opinions. These surveys had a very effective impact on the calendar and its inner-workings. Surveys usually consisted of questions asking the community what, on the old calendar, they thought was most important to them. According to the board the results of the surveys had 80% approval for the calendar, meaning that 80% of people approved of and agreed with the calendar proposed. “At Francis Howell we never do work like this without committees and this version of the calendar actually had, in the survey work, over 80% approval which is tough to get that many people to approve,” Chief Communication Officer Matt Deichman said. The reason for reorganizing the school calendar is due to the government passing a bill into law. Prior to the new law, the FHSD school district had already approved a calendar that reflected every other years calendar. However, in July, a Missouri legislature changed the law regarding the start date of Missouri school districts. It stated that school districts could not start 10 days before the first Monday in September.

“No, I mean we made the best decision we could with the parameters that our state government put on us,” FHSD Board of Education Director Michelle Walker said. “No, I am not exactly happy with it. I would like to be able to let our local educators decide what’s best for students.” by Justin Brewer justinbrewer15@gmail.com

MORE INFO Check out the full calendar here: bit.ly/NSnewcalendar

A car drives by FHN at the end of the school day. FHSD proposes an opportunity to save money on interest costs late last year. The Board of Education holds monthly meetings where they discuss issues involving money and other matters in the district. Recently they have decided on a ‘No Tax Increase Bond’ which they will discuss at the Jan. meeting. (Photo by Anna Hollinger) THE BOARD HAS DECIDED FHSD buildings are becoming outdated, so the Board of Education is going to put a bond on issue on the April ballot hoping to obtain funds

In late December, the FHSD Board of Education voted unanimously in a 7- 0 vote to put a ‘No Tax Rate Increase’ bond on the April 7 ballot. This vote does not decide whether the bond itself has passed, only that taxpayers and community members can vote on it when it’s on the ballot.

“I’m ecstatic,” FHSD Board Director Michelle Walker said. “It’s going to be fantastic to get a new high school on the north end of the district and I think it will be good to be able to address the issues that we need to address in all of our buildings, so that we don’t have to worry about something breaking and not being able to have school.” The ‘No Tax Rate Increase’ bond is a bond that is asking a total of $244 million from the state. This allows for community members to have the same tax rate unless their assessed value is increased. The district is putting bonds out and when people buy the bonds the district will pay them back with interest. Then they will receive this money in increments throughout the next several years. They are asking this much money now so that they don’t have to come back at a later date and ask the community for more money.

The district has phases already in place, so if they get the votes and the ballot is passed in April they know what needs to be done. With the money, the district will be updating older buildings such as Henderson, Becky-David, Fairmount, Barnwell and Hollenbeck. They will also be building a new FHN building with these funds because of the magnitude of repairs that are needed for the school. “These are proposed items, [because] we know that construction costs change sometimes, administrations can change,” Chief Communications Officer Matt Deichmann said. “Those are just the big ideas.”

On the FHSD website they have more information about the details of the phases and what they will be doing with the money more specifically. Also on the website is contact information for the Communications Department so that community members can learn more that what is just on the website. This is information for the public so that taxpayers and voters know more about Proposition S.

“We are going to need a whole lot of help from now to April,” Walker said. “This is going to need a lot of work. We are going to have to talk to the community, educate the community and so I would ask that any students that are willing to assist the community in what we are doing and why we are doing [it].” by Macy Cronin macy.cronin03@gmail.com

MORE INFO Check out the FHSD Website for more info here: bit.ly/NSbondissue

BROWNIES WITH BOARD

On Jan. 23, the FHSD school board will be hosting a public event where students, staff and parents can ask questions, give suggestions and talk to the board.

“It’s an opportunity for people to speak casually with the board without it being a formal board meeting,” Michelle Walker, director of the board, said. “There is really no one [person] speaking to everyone.”

Attendees of Brownies with the Board can talk to board members individually and in an informal setting. This is unlike a board meeting, where people ask questions formally to a panel of board members.

“We’ve done [Brownies with Board] a few times before,” Chad Lange, vice president of the board said. “Board members show up and we walk around the room, where anyone can talk to us informally.”

The event will last from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and will be held at the FHSD admin building. Refreshments, such as brownies and soft drinks, will be served. The board and the superintendent of the district will be in attendance.

Previously, when this event was held a few times last year, attendance at the event was high.

“We want people to come,” Walker said. “We want to talk to them. We’ll be working on a bond issue. I’d like to hear people’s thoughts on that.” Parents and students can find out more by contacting the board members. Contact information for every board member can be found on the FHSD website, or by talking to them during board meetings, dates of which can also be found on the FHSD website.

“I think [Brownies with the Board] will help the Francis Howell community,” Lange said. “Any opportunity for people to speak their mind without retaliation is a way for people to break barriers.” (Brief by Aadhi Sathishkumar)

UPCOMING EVENTS

January Thursday 16

Board of Education Meeting Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Where: FHSD Admin. Building

January Saturday 18

FHSD Community Resource Fair Time: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Where: FHC

WINTER GUARD FLIES INTO NEXT SEASON Standing tall, junior Lily Karase holds out her flag preparing to spin it during winter guard practice. Many new changes occurred this year, such as there is only one team, getting rid of the division between JV and Varsity. Two returning coaches are preparing the show this year. (Photo by Avery Witherbee)

As the cold descends upon St. Charles, FHN’s winter guard is not discouraged as they warm-up for their season.

This year the coaches have decided on the theme: the aftermath of a storm. The show will start off gloomy and then it will move to a brighter show with rainbows being used as a design. Winter guard’s costumes will include a raincoat and dresses.

“I like the concept of the show,” sophomore Abigail Schmitt said. “I like that it starts out in a huge storm and then everything clears up and it’s all pretty and colorful. I like that the two parts of the show are very different and at the beginning, it’s really gray and sad, then it changes into colorful and happy.”

Several members of the fall color guard returned to perform in winter guard in the new season. Although the two can be confused, winter guard allows the team to perform more intricate shows because they don’t have to share the stage with band members like color guard has to.

“Since [color guard is] held outdoors, we have to learn to spin with all the elements like the wind and performing up into the sun and that affects the way that we spin and how well we perform,” Schmitt said.

“During winter there is no wind or sun to look into and that kind of helps with spinning [because] you know there is nothing affecting the way your equipment moves.”

Coach staffing changed between the end of color guard and the beginning of winter guard. The new coaches allowed for performers to come together and feel more united as a team

“I think we are more like a team,” senior Jenna Brown said. “During fall we really struggled to connect but now that we have staff that we know and we are comfortable with, I think we will work together very well.” (Brief by Macy Cronin)

SOPHOMORES WILL CELEBRATE RINGS Senior Emilee Statzer holds in her hand the class ring she customized. Francis Howell North offers students an opportunity to buy a class ring that they get to customize. During the school day students who ordered a ring get to go down to the ring ceremony to receive their rings. (Photo by Kaili Martin)

The sophomore rings assembly is Jan. 20. The event is an informational meeting regarding the Sophomore Rings Ceremony. Oscar Sun, a sophomore at FHN, expresses his positive views on the ring ceremony. “The ring represents all of my favorite memories of FHN, especially participation in clubs, cross country and track, and the pep assemblies,” Sun said. “What sets this school apart from the rest is its ability to make sure every student matters.”

The most integral part of the ceremony is when the 10th graders receive their rings. The cost of the rings are roughly $200 to $400 based upon what style is chosen, but to some the gratitude of receiving it outweighs the necessary cost of the rings. “As students, we forget that sometimes the most fun we have in all of our lives is in high school,” Sun said. “Before we know it, we graduate, so might as well enjoy ourselves while we still can.”

This function is a way for friends to catch up, and share some old memories one may have forgotten. It is also where sophomores can look at their past mistakes, and look for improvements in the future. The ring is a way to always remember high school and all the memories that have been made throughout those formative years.

“These rings not only bring back old memories of my high school career, but they also remind us that high school is only halfway completed and that there are many memories to come,” Sun said. The ceremony not only unites the sophomores but also shows administrators and teachers how much their students have matured and grown. Amy Stoker, who teaches sophomore and senior English classes at FHN, appreciates the event. “The rings not only celebrate the sophomores but also show their ability to achieve anything they put their minds too,” said Stoker. (Brief by Andrew Teuth)

January Monday 20

January February Registration Help Night Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Where: Learning Commons Tuesday Wednesday 21 12

Foundations of Investing Community Class Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Where: FSHD Admin. Building

COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A CAUSE At Francis Howell Central, FHSD is holding a resource fair for the benefit of community members. The fair is hosted in conjucture with the special olympics basketball game with the hopes that it will increase attendance at both events. (Photo by Shutterstock)

FHSD is hosting a community resource fair with the intention of connecting individuals with disabilities and their families to available resources in the community. The event will take place on Jan. 18 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at FHC. Everyone is welcome to attend, but the resource fair is intended to benefit community members with special needs and their loved ones. The fair will feature break out sessions and different booths with representatives from dozens of organizations in the state. Some of the organizations that will be in attendance are Pathways to Independence, Willows Way and Resources for Human Development. There are four different break out sessions.

“There’s a lesson on guardianship, which teaches the importance for parents to know how to help people after they turn 18,” event organizer Eddie Rodgers said.

In order to boost attendance and reach as many community members as possible, the resource fair will be held on the same day as the FHSD Special Olympics basketball tournament. The tournament is being organized by Director of Special Olympics, Eddie Mulholland. The goal in hosting the events together is to maximize the amount of families the resources reach.

“We are so happy that we get to be under the same roof as [FHSD Special Olympians],” Rodgers said. “We feel so honored to be involved with the FHSD Special Olympics and we’re hopeful it draws a bigger crowd.”

Rodgers feels that events like this are important to the community as a whole.

“We are connecting people with resources to put them on a path for a successful life,” Rodgers said. “With this event, if it helps even one person, then the whole thing was worth it.” (Brief by Sophie Carite)

BASKETBALL BAND READY FOR SEASON In Winter season when either boys or girls Varsity basketball has a game at FHN, the band is there to play. After marching band season ends, they decide to cheer on the basketball teams. “It’s fun because I get to hang out with my friends while playing popular songs,” sophomore Avery Witherbee said. (Photo by Courtney Wortman)

The season for winter sports is in full swing. For Basketball Band, this means cheering and performing at every varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball games at FHN.

“The pep band is there to liven up the whole game, because there are some points where no one is really having it,” sophomore saxophone player Vanessa Guerrero said. “Even the student section can kind of get a little down. It’s our job to come in and be all punchy with our music and really get the crowd running.”

This year, the band has more than 30 songs to choose from to perform at the games. While they have many options, some staples include ‘Shut up and Dance’ by Walk the Moon, ‘Believer’ by Imagine Dragons and FHN’s fight song. “When we sit in the stands and play pep songs, the songs are different from when we play in football games and there is kind of a different vibe to them,” Guerrero said. “These songs are a little groovier and you can move around a little more.”

Although some may have felt unprepared for the season, the band has been practicing every Tuesday and Thursday since early November to prepare for the season. “I myself feel pretty prepared because a lot of the pep songs are from last year,” Guerrero said. “I am comfortable with most of them and I know my section is having a little bit of a struggle with them, but I know they’ll get it.” The basketball band has to work together to have a cohesive performance. With the new season they have more opportunities to achieve their own personal goals and some new ones set forth as a band. “Marching season kind of made us seem separated, so hopefully with basketball band we’ll be united and have more fun,” sophomore flute player Johna Hargrove said. (Brief by Macy Cronin)