The
BOLT
October 2019 Volume 20, Issue 2 lightningboltonline.com Sage Hill School 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Curriculum Changes
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Spring at Sage and Service Learning Become Official Graduation Reqiurements
Jacob Gibbs As of the 2019-2020 school year, Spring and Sage and Service Learning are now part of Sage Hill curriculum and official four-year graduation requirements for all students. Even though these programs were always required, some student absences during these days have led to major adjustments for the future. Students must now attend all of their seminar activities and Service Learning days in order to receive credit on their transcript. On the note of Spring at Sage independent projects, there will be much more attention paid toward the students opting out of trips and seminars. While there has not yet been a major issue regarding
Editorial, Page 2
independent projects, there will be more scrutiny in order to establish earlier deadlines and stricter faculty guidance. AP Government and AP Psychology teacher Mrs. Bradshaw has run the independent projects under Spring at Sage for several years and has seen a multitude of impressive projects develop. “What is so special about the independent projects is the reflection of values that Sage is known for, which is the students taking control over their own learning,” Bradshaw said. The focus of independent projects have shifted along the years, since students began to apply their curriculum to their projects much more. “All of the seminars, trips, and projects have evolved since we’ve put param-
News, Page 3
Joey Cha | The Bolt
Faculty and staff members encourage students to join their Spring at Sage trips and seminars during the Spring at Sage fair on Sept. 17. eters on the students in order to focus on both service and academic components … the reflection of the Six Cs and banner values have made the projects more meaningful,” Bradshaw said. In addition to Spring at Sage, there is also a Service Learning graduation requirement that will be enforced. While previously there may have been some leeway granted to Service Learning projects, there will now be an imposed six-hour per month condition put into place in order to give more structure to the program. Students have noted that this change will affect their daily lives much less than
Community, Page 4
Sports, Page 6
other school rules or graduation requirements, but it is necessary in order to enforce existing customs at Sage. “It has always been known to not skip Service Learning days unless one is really sick … if students just schedule doctor appointments or sleep in then that will create a culture of not caring about one of our school’s main offerings,” senior Nicole Motherway said. This change is significant in respect to the guidelines of the School Handbook, but many students feel it is simply reinforcing an unspoken rule that has always been known in Sage history.
Opinion, Page 8