The Omniscient
Page 5
November 2021
NEW NORTHWOOD SLOGAN DEBUTS: ‘ALL IN’ BY ALESSIA IACONO STAFF WRITER After over a year of an abnormal school experience, Northwood has kicked off its first full year of in-person teaching with a new slogan: ‘ALL IN’. The slogan is featured on the main lawn, in classrooms and on teachers’ shirts. “‘ALL IN’ is to be fully committed; fully committed to this school and fully prepared to do whatever is necessary to meet the needs of students,” Principal Bradford Walston said. The idea originated from an in-depth meeting regarding efforts to make the 20212022 school year a positive one after Northwood’s hybrid learning semester last spring. The phrase ‘ALL IN’ suddenly came to Walston, and from there it took off. The new catchphrase, displayed to students and families for the first time at the fall open house, soon became the official slogan for the 20212022 school year. After a year that many faculty and students agree was not ideal, there was a sense that an emphasis on inclusion and commitment was vital this school year. Many events not held during the pandemic have started up again around Northwood’s campus, and the community is starting to settle into a year that they hope will not be cut short again. For some staff, ‘ALL IN’ means things besides just student academic growth. “It’s extremely important to take into consideration that we have so many different students that come from so many different backgrounds at our school, but we all have a common goal, which is to work together for the common good and the improvement of society,” Spanish teacher Christopher Lupoli said. For others, ‘ALL IN’ may be about trying to acclimate to the idea of working well with different people or making every school day count towards a quality education. Walston and Northwood’s administration want the school’s culture to promote unity among students and staff, led by the “Charger Way,” an acronym that promotes
Northwood High School staff poses for the annual photo in new ‘ALL IN’ merchandise.
a positive attitude amongst students. Having all students be welcomed and appreciated regardless of their differences and getting to come in to make each day important and memorable is a goal that Northwood is constantly working towards. “I don’t think our faculty has had a slogan for the whole school, so I really like it,” senior Caroline Murrell said. “I feel like it’s fitting since we’re all back together this year after COVID, so we’re all trying to make the most out of our year.” Northwood’s new slogan not only speaks to a school setting but also the outside world. With the increase in in-person events and more establishments starting to open up, going the extra mile has been on the minds of many this school year. The Northwood community has experienced an increase in attendance at football games, senior events and after-school activities. There was even a formal tailgate at one of the Northwood’s earliest home football games where attendants were able to get in for free. To Dr. Walston, this school year is about making every second worthwhile. “What are the big memorable moments [for students?]... Going to homecoming? Go-
-ing to prom? These things that we’ve been missing out on [during remote learning]. These big, elevating moments that you’re going to remember from high school...How do we do that in a classroom, where we create a moment that you remember when you look back on school 20 years later?”
Dr.Walston displays the new ‘ALL IN’ slogan. Graphic by Alessia Iacono
