Tag Archives: Janie Whaley

Features

Some student athletes seek alternatives to earning PE credits

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By Sydney Sears and Megan Johnson

In order to graduate from FC,  students must take two semesters of physical education. According to the “Alternative Supervised Physical Education” section of the Floyd County Student Rights Guide, any student that partakes in a school sport or marching band class may use his or her activity as a PE class. However, this rule only applies to teens that are a part of a school-associated sport or activity. Any other outside activity does not count. Due to this circumstance, athletes such as these end up having to take gym and cannot take other classes that help further their education.

“It did affect my schedule because I couldn’t take certain classes like child development or culinary arts,” said junior Kenzie Ross.

Ross is part of an all-star dance team and had to follow the guidelines to gain PE credits. Ross stated that she felt that her hard work with the dance team should have earned her credits.

“It’s aggravating because we work hard. We practice two to three times a week for two to three hours.”

Sophomore Ashley Denny also shared her opinion regarding the  work that she puts into gymnastics.

“I work three days a week and three hours for each session. It involves a lot of cardio and strength training,” said Denny.

Many athletes who do sports outside of school, work just as much as athletes who do school sports. The only difference is that their teams are not affiliated with the school. This produces the question of why other athletes are not allowed to earn P.E. credits as well.

“I just don’t think it’s fair that other athletes are offered that and people like me aren’t.” said Denny

Denny and Ross concluded with ideas to help their situation and other students like them. Ross explained that students could provide evidence that they play a sport and spend enough time doing that sport to earn their credits

Denny agreed with Ross in that aspect.

“This problem could be resolved by having the student bring in a note from their coach, just like how FC athletes do.” said Denny.

Principal Janie Whaley shared that there actually is a possibility for an athlete that is not part of the FC athletic program to gain credit. However, these students must show their participation in their sport.

“All students receive a ‘B’ if they complete the season. There is a fitness test at the end of the semester that allows students to move from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’.”

Although this option is offered to all athletic students, there has still been a minor reduction in enrollment.

Whaley shared her final thought on both P.E. and sports in and out of school, which is essential for students to endure.

“The end result is physical fitness.”

Features, Peter Hyle

Teachers plan for the next week’s fall break

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By Peter Hyle

For students, the upcoming week is a much-needed break. Due to the balanced school calendar, this year students and faculty have an entire week out of school. Though students have the entire time out, some teachers, however, do not. With the first nine weeks coming to a close and the second just about to begin, there is a lot of work to be done while the students are away.

Social studies teacher Suzanne Moss grades papers in her classroom. Moss is among many teachers who may be using the next week to catch up on paperwork and grading in preparation for the new nine-week grading period. Photo by JT Samart.

“I’ll be working on various little projects [over the break], and I would guess that a lot of teachers are updating and working on grades for all of their students,” said principal Janie Whaley.

For most teachers, before they can take their break, they have to get their lesson plans and student grades put together.

“I need to get caught up and get a lot of paperwork together that I’ve been putting off,” said social studies teacher Suzanne Moss.

Most staff members think that the break is a good idea, and necessary.

“I think that this will be good for a lot of the students and their families,” said assistant principal Rob Willman.

In the past, what would be considered fall break was the three days off from school around Thanksgiving time…the day before, the day of, and the day after Thanksgiving. But this year, FC will have that short break along with next week of no school.

“I think any time you can step back from your normal routine is a good thing,” said Willman.

In the future, FC will put more use into its fall break. Lengthening to two weeks next school year, students will be offered more opportunities to raise their grades in several classes.

“We’ll move more towards intercession periods. Not this year but the next year, students will have a chance to make up school work during the second week of fall break,” said Willman.

Just about all staff members will agree that this is time well spent for the school.

“I think it’s a good idea to give kids the extra help they need,” said math teacher Rusty Cecil.

Some staff members are required to stay at FC over the break. With the numerous sporting events taking place here, it is necessary.

“I’ll be here for most of fall break,” said assistant principal Jeff Cerqueira. “We still have a lot of student athletic activities going on here.”

Over fall break, the cross country team has its

sectional, the volleyball team plays against Providence, and the football team has a home game against New Albany.

“There’s still a lot going on. With all the games and practices, there will have to be some staff members here to watch over everything,” said Willman.

For some staff members, the week-long break for students can end up being only a two or three-day break for them. It takes time and is important to make sure that all work is graded, and things are organized and set up for the start of the second nine weeks. Faculty and staff make sure that things here at the school run smoothly while the students are both here and away on break.

“I always say that it’s a building that never sleeps,” said Whaley.

News, Peter Hyle

Early graduation provides a quicker start on college life

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Junior Samantha Knies works on an assignment in her radio/TV class. Knies is planning to graduate early. Photo by Megan Hardin.

By Megan Hardin and Peter Hyle

Every year students come to school prepared for a full year of hard work and classes. For some it can seem like a never ending school year, but for a select few their school year is shorter than most. This is the case for the students that graduate early.

“In the past there have been one or two [students that graduate early] but we are starting to see more students that want to,” said principal Janie Whaley.

A student cannot just want to graduate early and then do so, though. There is a process that students must go through in order to even be considered for early graduation.

“They have to fill out a form a semester before they wish to graduate and say why they want to. Then we have to look at all their credits and classes and see if they are even eligible. After we do that we meet with that student and their parents and tell them if they can or cannot graduate and if they can; then, they have to write out a plan of what they are going to do and we need to see an acceptance letter from a college,” said Whaley.

With those requirements every student that has been approved to graduate early and those wishing to must work twice as hard to get everything they need to do done on time.

“It is kind of hectic and stressful. I have to take all seven of my classes here at FC then I have to go home and take the other classes that I need online. I have to work really hard and much longer to get good grades and get everything done,” said junior Samantha Knies, who is trying to graduate early this year.

Even though it takes a lot of hard work and time, graduating early can be a big pay off.

FC graduate Emma Slentz, who graduated a semester early last year, agreed that graduating early is completely worth it.

“It does take a lot of work but it is worth it and it is what is necessary to graduate early and head towards your future even more. It was the best thing for me to do and I am so happy that I did it. Graduating early allowed me to get an earlier start on my life and let me discover what it is I really want to do,” said Slentz.

Graduating early can help get a start on the future but it can also take away from the high school experiences that everyone wishes to have.

“If a student chooses to graduate early they need to understand that they aren’t eligible to get scholarships, participate in all of the senior activities that we have or the activities that they would have attended if they were staying their entire four years of high school, and they most likely will not get to go to prom or graduation,” said Whaley.

The decision is all up to the student if they chose to miss out on those activities and they feel that graduating early is worth it the choice is out there for them. It all depends upon the student.

Graduating early can greatly help a student that chooses to do so by letting them get a head start in college and move on to that step of their life. For the students that feel like they are ready for that then graduating early can be the right choice for them.

“I think that it depends on the person if they will choose to stay all four years or move on with their lives earlier than others, but graduating early is definitely a good option out there for students,” said Whaley.