centralfocus{ }francis howell central high school | volume fifteen | issue one | 8.8.2011

If you’re reading this at 7:21 and you’re not in class, you’re officially tardy. if you want to buy a Pepsi product at lunch, you’re out of luck, because school vending machines are now filled with Coke products. If you’re walking down to the baseball fields, you’ll see a new Spartan statue, thanks to a donation by the classes of 2010 & 2011. If you have a mobile web device, you’ll be able to access the internet on it - thanks to the district’s new wireless internet system. If you want to play tennis, you can now take advantage of the school’s brand-new courts built this summer. If you’re looking for the writing lab, you’ll have to walk in a different direction, because that room is now a business classroom. if you’re reading this at 7:21 and you’re not in class, you’re officially tardy. if you want to buy a Pepsi product at lunch, you’re out of luck, because school vend-ing machines are now filled with Coke products. If you’re walking down to the baseball fields, you’ll see a new Spartan statue, thanks to a donation by the classes of 2010 & If you have a mobile web device, you’ll be able to access the internet on it - thanks to the district’s new wireless internet system. If you want to play tennis, you can now take advantage of the school’s brand-new courts built this summer. If you’re looking for the writing lab, you’ll have to walk in a different direction, because that room is now a busi-ness classroom. if you’re reading this at 7:21 and you’re not in class, you’re officially tardy. If you want to buy a Pepsi product at lunch, you’re out of luck, because school

newwhat’s

BY ALLI KEISKERprint executive editor

Standing strong with its shield

in hand and sword raised, the Spartan statue overlooks the competition field of the Don Muench Memorial Stadium. This spartan statue was a gift from the graduated classes of 2010 and 2011.

According to Principal Dr. Sonny Arnel, the idea for the statue was decided between the class officers, class sponsor Jennifer Denney, and himself. Dr. Arnel said the statue was shipped from California because not many local places could create the statue at a reasonable cost.

Funds for the statue were raised by both the students and sponsors of both graduating classes over the course of the four years they attended the school, according to Dr. Arnel. The money for the statue itself was raised by the class of 2010; although, the class of 2011 paid for the base and the lights that brighten the base, Dr. Arnel said.

“We used the money that the classes of 2010 and 2011 raised and some of the parking funds,” Dr. Arnel said.

In addition to the Terry Kasper Corridor, the Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Spartan Academic Hall of Fame, the spartan statue will help to represent the pride of the school.

“The statue alone won’t create school spirit, but it’ll help portray our school to our community,” Dr. Arnel said.

Along with Dr. Arnel’s

enthusiasm for the new addition of the spartan statue, students such as senior Courtney Tebeau and junior Briar Larowitz are also happy with the statue. Tebeau agrees the statue itself will not bring spirit to our school, but what it symbolizes will.

“The statue itself won’t bring school spirit, but when we’re at football games this fall we’ll look at it and be reminded that we are Spartans and that we’ll always be one even once we graduate,” Tebeau said. “Like Dr. Arnel says, ‘It’s a great day to be a Spartan.’”

Unlike Dr. Arnel and Tebeau, Larowitz feels the new statue could help boost spirit.

“I think that [the spartan statue] could help promote school spirit at football games,” Larowitz said. “A lot of other schools have statues or something with their mascot on it outside of their school.”

The spartan statue is in a centralized location as it overlooks the football, soccer, and baseball fields. The statue is in the middle of the plaza in the stadium.

“I think [the statue]’s great and is in a good location,” Dr. Arnel said. “It will be neat for parents and visitors to see at

games.” According to Dr. Arnel, alumni

will be able to return to the school, see the statue, and remember their spartan pride.

“[Graduating seniors leave gifts so] they can leave the campus better than when they got here, as something to be proud of when they return,” Dr. Arnel said.

first day edition | august 8, 20112}

“The statue itself won’t

bring school spirit, but

when we’re at football games this

fall we’ll look at it and be reminded

that we are Spartans

and that we’ll always be one even once we

graduate.”

{ Courtney Tebeau }senior

Tebeau is an avid fan of all school sports. She will be at-

tending all football games in the fall like many other students. However, many believe the

statue will not help to improve school spirit as it is just

another aesthetic part of the the school. What do you think about the statue? Tell us about

it on our Facebook page!

phot

o by

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nze

A new face in the crowd

The new Spartan statue stands with its sword raised towards the competition field. The statue was installed early this summer.

Spartan statue most visible

of many new changes around

campus

what’s up with the new...

tennis courts?In May, the Board of Education approved plans to remodel the tennis courts at both FHC and FHN.

The new courts are built ‘post-tension’ - the concrete is reinforced with steel cables to prevent cracking.

“I’m excited for [our] athletes to have an opportunity to play on professional level courts.”

{Activities Director Scott Harris}

fhctoday.com | first day edition 3}

BY LIZZI HOLLANDthe scene editor

Summer brings many changes. This summer, however, did not only bring changes to the students attending Francis Howell Central, but the school itself. A new yearly schedule and new lunch times are now the rightful whisperings of the crowded hallways. The real question is not what changes occurred, but rather why these changes were made.

The new yearly schedule was talked about for months as the board of education went back and forth over the decision to merge the elementary and upper level schools to the same schedule. There were both positive and negative aspects to this consensus, but because of the

million dollars that would be saved from buses, it was decided to put all schools on the same agenda. This not only changed things for elementary students, but high school students as well due to the school starting time being made five minutes earlier; thus allowing longer breaks for the students.

“I think that it will likely take some getting used to by all who will be ‘experiencing’ the new calendar,” Dr. Steven Griggs, chief human resources officer, said. “However, I think that once we have lived with it for awhile it will be as natural and ordinary to us as our former schedule was.”

The scheduling changes did not end at the additional five minutes being added to each day; the lunch shifts have been completely

redesigned. As opposed to the usual five lunch shifts, there will now only be three. This will lead to increased lunch sizes, but will also eliminate split classes.

“I’m ecstatic about the new lunches,” Principal Sonny Arnel said. “Before, the split classes were a hassle for the teachers, and because you can’t split gym classes, band classes, or science classes, it was not fair to all of the other academics.”

However, not all students feel Dr. Arnel’s enthusiasm about the changes.

“I think it’s going to be really inconvenient because I am going to have to go to my locker a lot, and it’s near the lunch room,” junior Hanna Smith said. “So, the bigger lunch shifts are going to lead to more traffic, but I guess I

understand from an educational stand point.”Because of the new lunch schedule the

custodians will have more time to clean between each lunch and there will be fewer supervising shifts for office workers, giving them more time to do other work.

Both Dr. Arnel and Dean of Students Mr. Todd Berck have said that none of the lunches are going to be any larger than 4C used to be due to the decrease in students this year.

“There are only about 1,800 students, so with the work program, tech kids, and students eating in other rooms such as the band room and the Spectra room, there should only be around 500-600 students per lunch,” said Mr. Berck.

A new school year brings changes

wireless network?FHSD has been planning for years to make the entire district wireless for practicality and convenience for teachers.

The school also has an ‘FHSD Guest’ network for student and parent use.

“Right now is the most exciting time to come to any of the Howell schools because

we are very current in technology.” {Assistant Principal Dave Stofer}

soda machines?In late June FHC removed the Pepsi product vend-ing machines and replaced them with Coca-Cola product machines.

Pepsi products will still be sold at all concession stands at school events.

}What is your full name?Stacey Anne Hilker

What will you be teaching here at FHC?Physical science and Biology

What is your educational background?BS - Business and Emphasis Accounting and ScienceMBA - Business Mgt.MA - Education

What is your goal for this year?Not to get lost on my first day of school and to help my students with growth in academics.

What is your favorite high school memory?Senior ring actvities and graduation

What is your full name?Elisabeth Kaye Baird

What will you be teaching here at FHC?All Vocal Music classes: Chamber choirs, concert choir, and Treble choir

What is your educational background?I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Education at UMSL.

What is your goal for this year?My goal is to get to know all the current students in choir and to encourage even more people to come see all the great stuff we can do in all our choirs.

What is your favorite high school memory?I met my husband on the first day of Marching Band in high school, so that tops my list!

What is your full name?Chrissy (Christina) Young

What will you be teaching here at FHC?Studies III/Enviromental Studies. I am Resource for Special Ed.

What is your educational background?Graduate of FHC in 2006! GO SPARTANS! SEMO Grad 2011 with a Bachelor’s in Special Ed and Elementary Ed.

How long have you been teaching?This is my first year! Wish me luck!

What is your favorite high school memory?My favorite HS memory would have to be playing soccer. Those bus rides, two-a-day practices, and the friendships! I am still great friends with my teammates!

What is your full name?Melissa Christin Rademeyer

What will you be teaching here at FHC?Physical Science and Physical Science Success

What is your educational background?BS - Biology from Maryville UniversityMA - Teaching from Missouri Baptist University

What’s your teaching style?All styles of teaching, but my favorite are hands-on activities and labs.

What is your favorite high school memory?Dancing on my pom squad and meeting life long friends.

{new teachers new teachers new teachers new teachers new teachers new teachers new teachers

first day edition | august 8, 20114}

Regular Bell Schedule

Here is the new bell schedule for the 2011-12 school year.1st period

7:20-8:132nd period-

8:18-9:103rd period-

9:15-10:074A/B period (4C or 5B Lunch)-

10:12-11:044B/4C period (4A Lunch)-

10:37-11:294C/5A period (5B Lunch)-

11:09-12:015A/B period (4A or 4C Lunch)-

11:34-12:266th period-

12:31-1:237th period-

1:28-2:20

Lunch Period Times4A Lunch

10:07-10:324C Lunch

11:04-11:295B Lunch

12:01-12:26

Early Release Bell Schedule

1st period- 7:20-8:06

2nd period- 8:11-9:57

3rd period- 9:02-9:48

4A/B period (4C or 5B Lunch)-

9:53-10:394B/4C period (4A Lunch)-

10:16-11:024C/5A period (5B Lunch)-

10:44-11:305A/B period (4A or 4C Lunch)-

11:07-11:536th period-

11:58-12:447th period-

12:49-1:35

Lunch Period Times4A Lunch

9:48-10:114C Lunch

10:39-11:025B Lunch

11:30-11:53

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centralfocus{ }francis howell central high school | volume fifteen | issue one | 8.8.2011

If you’re reading this at 7:21 and you’re not in class, you’re officially tardy. if you want to buy a Pepsi product at lunch, you’re out of luck, because school vending machines are now filled with Coke products. If you’re walking down to the baseball fields, you’ll see a new Spartan statue, thanks to a donation by the classes of 2010 & 2011. If you have a mobile web device, you’ll be able to access the internet on it - thanks to the district’s new wireless internet system. If you want to play tennis, you can now take advantage of the school’s brand-new courts built this summer. If you’re looking for the writing lab, you’ll have to walk in a different direction, because that room is now a business classroom. if you’re reading this at 7:21 and you’re not in class, you’re officially tardy. if you want to buy a Pepsi product at lunch, you’re out of luck, because school vend-ing machines are now filled with Coke products. If you’re walking down to the baseball fields, you’ll see a new Spartan statue, thanks to a donation by the classes of 2010 & If you have a mobile web device, you’ll be able to access the internet on it - thanks to the district’s new wireless internet system. If you want to play tennis, you can now take advantage of the school’s brand-new courts built this summer. If you’re looking for the writing lab, you’ll have to walk in a different direction, because that room is now a busi-ness classroom. if you’re reading this at 7:21 and you’re not in class, you’re officially tardy. If you want to buy a Pepsi product at lunch, you’re out of luck, because school

newwhat’s