All I want for Christmas is … a little change. FHS leaders have been trying to move and shake the system, changing everything from the Saturday school policy to heckling at games. The result of many of the changes, however, has seemed to be change simply for the sake of change. What good have the new schedule, a longer school day, teachers forced to become no-hat storm troopers in the halls and the “no heckling” rule done for the students at the high school? These “changes” haven’t changed anything. The moving and shaking that supposedly been going on wouldn’t make Jell-o quiver. Next year, the schedule is going to return to a six period day — a plan that strongly resembles the ’96-’97 schedule. As for this year’s longer school day, there are more students coming at 9 or leaving at 2:30 than ever before, causing students to actually be in school LESS than they were before the longer day. Teachers are being forced to waste their time hanging out in the halls bellowing “Take off your hat!” at students, and fans at games are still screaming “Shot!” when the opponents go for a basket, despite the threats that have been issued against heckling. What have all the changes this school year done? Nothing more than irritate students and faculty. Things haven’t improved at all and these “changes” have changed nothing. The students of FHS have no problem with change. We like to see things get better. There are dozens of changes that would vastly improve the school, but none of them are being made. Here’s a list of suggestions that Krista would like to see for this festive holiday season. • Require entry tests to get into honors classes, so that our honors students will receive the best education available. • Buy new books, diversify curriculum and introduce new subjects such as Japanese or 20th Century History. More varied classes will improve the education that Flathead High students receive. Students will be exposed to a greater variety of knowledge, making them more able to compete in an increasingly global world. • Make class sizes smaller and hire more teachers so that every student at FHS can receive more one-on-one education. • Get students involved in decisions that directly affect them. Most students have an opinion on the schedule (and they did last year, when they also were not asked), or on subverting violence in school or on improving the content of the curriculum. The actions taken on all of these issues affect students greatly, yet their opinions, wants and needs are almost never addressed. The most important issue is to improve the education of Flathead students. To do that, things not only should, but have to change — but we need real change, a gift of substance — not just pretty wrapping. |
