The New School Year

Sierra Canyon Braces for the New Year

Students enjoy the new pergola which not only provides shade, but a socially distanced space to eat.

by Mya Petryshyn

While a large portion of last year remained online, many of our policies like schedules and timing had changed with it. As we reunite on campus with students present, many of our policies have been altered or completely removed. As we return to our fifty-minute classes, the incorporation of Lab into the schedule, and other miscellaneous changes, the new rules and changes can get a little confusing. To gain some clarity, I talked with some of our administration to get the best information of what this year entails.

Mr. Perry was happy to inform us of the school’s new policies, classes, and schedules. In reference to our added classes, he says, “We added History of Sports in the U.S., which is in the History Department. Also,we’ve had Creative Writing on the books and are running it during the fall, but it hasn’t been offered in quite a while.”

While at Sierra Canyon, students found enjoyment in our annual club fairs, where students and teachers could present their club in the gym. Due to COVID, we opted for a safer, more convenient way by having students and teachers record a video representing their own club that we watched during Advisory. We are gratified that the club fair went smoothly and are excited to see what each club has in store.

While the schedule was modified to fit with online learning last year, we are back to our normal schedules with some minor adjustments this year. For example, Mr. Perry says, “We committed to starting at 8:30 a.m. each day instead of 8:00 a.m. We tried this the year we left for COVID and weren’t sure if we would stick with it. Studies show, though, that starting a little later is better and more productive for students. We returned to an 8-period rotation over 8 days. During COVID we had nine, which helped bring class sizes down for social distancing.”

In reference to COVID, the school has been working to create a safe environment for all, as well as adding some improved health installments. Mr. Perry says, “One of the most important but least visible is the installation of the highly regarded MERV-13 air filters in every room on campus. The new pergola and surrounding picnic tables, which seem to be a hit with students, were created to provide more outdoor spaces for students, since it’s harder to catch COVID outside.”

In terms of the wristbands that we wore the first four days of school, I talked with Mr. Shapiro, the Chief Financial Officer, who was overseeing this initiative. Concerning the question of weekly COVID tests, Shapiro said, “We will not have weekly tests at this time; however, we will continue to comply with and enforce all T1, Appendix A, and Public Health Exposure requirements from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for K-12 schools. We will adjust protocols as required while the situation and conditions continue to change.”

With Avonley Kliewer ‘22 as our new President and Samantha Hariz ‘22 as Vice President, ASB has a long list of exciting plans for spirit weeks and for pep rallies. I was fortunate to speak with Kliewer about some of the new plans for this year. She says, “We’ve already had our Senior Sunrise, which was a success. We are planning the Homecoming Spirit Week, pep rally, game, and dance coming up. After that, we will host our annual holiday party talent show. Next semester, we are going to have a Junior/Senior sleepover movie night, bonfire, bowling night, Senior Sunset, and Grad Night. We will also host two more pep rallies and spirit weeks.”

While I was able to receive information from Mr. Perry and others, Ms. Koss was also kind enough to inform me of some of the events and trips taking place for several different grades. For the seventh graders, she says, “We have reserved with NatureBridge the week of February 13 th -18 th to visit the Olympic Park Institute in Washington State. Normally, students visit OPI in the spring of their sixth grade year at SC, but the class of 2027 was unable to go last year due to COVID. We are excited for this ‘do-over’ trip.”

In addition, seventh grade also had a bit of a different orientation this year than most.

Koss explains, “Students participated in a scavenger hunt to work as teams in Advisory to solve riddles. They also got a jump start on navigating the Upper Campus, as the clues took them to all of the most locations like where they will have class, including the Publications Room and the Engineering Lab. Returning students also received a refresher course and an introduction for new students on how to use the Portal, so they are ready to go for the first day of school.”

Ms. Koss also talked about eighth grade and some adjustments to the requirements for the grade level. Koss says, “For the first time, the Middle School has deepened our commitment to making these elective courses an integral component of the students’ program by expanding the elective courses from one semester to a full year of study.”

Ms. Koss mentioned a new Wellness curriculum for the eighth grade. She explains, “In addition to core classes and electives, eighth grade students will experience our newly-expanded Wellness curriculum. The Physical Education class provides students with an opportunity to complement their academic program focusing on kinesthetic learning. With an emphasis on fitness for life, the Physical Education teachers will guide the students to introduce movement into their daily routine.”

In addition, eighth grade Human Development will be expanded to a year-long course with the help of Ms. Hernandez, the Middle School Dean, who as Ms. Koss says, “will bring her background in mindfulness and her 20+ years of experience working with adolescents to this revamped Human Development class.”

One question that has been circling around, especially with the caution of COVID, is the subject of Peak Weak. For the new students, Peak Week is a week out of the school year where students can go on fun, academic activities or trips with a teacher or administrator. Some are local and some are even out of the country. Ms. Koss let me know that they “are planning for Peak Week to take place the week of January 31 st -February 4th with an option for students to travel to Washington, D.C.”