With the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, many new events are to be anticipated. Whether it be sports or Homecoming. Students have been expressing their thoughts on the first week of school.
Over the summer, many students participated in Castaic’s athletic camps, including junior, Arielle Greene, who participated in the girl’s volleyball summer camp. She says, “I had many highlights from the camp so it’s hard to pinpoint one, but most memorable moments were when we would play fun games and would dress up on certain themes on Thursdays.” Girl’s Volleyball season began on August 15. Arielle’s further developed skills from summer camp says she feels excited for this new season and “feels like we’re [the team] much more confident this season”.
Football’s first official game is on August 22, against Adelanto High School. Their first scrimmage was held at Castaic High School encouraging students to watch them compete against Burbank High School. Many people, including passionate students have expressed interest in attending games at Castaic instead of having to go to Valencia. Developments to help accomplish this goal included the new stadium lights that had been put up during summer.
Other sports starting this August include Girl’s Tennis season, starting on August 22, and Cross Country on August 31st.
Returning students have noticed the stricter phone policies during instructional time. While some agree with this new policy, others have different opinions. Sophomore, Tyler Schoenfeld says he “understands why they have to do it, because phone usage was out of control last year and it will probably help a lot of people in the long run to get better grades”, but at the same time, he believes that isn’t great when you aren’t allowed to use your phone in classes such as advisory or ASB when you’re not doing anything.
On the other side of the argument, junior Jovianne Ramos agrees with the policies, she believes that she has been more “present and focused in class. I also noticed that the habits carried on into breaks and I’ve been more social during brunch and lunch. The last couple years phone policies did exist, but were not as strictly enforced”.
Senior, Bella Dasner says that she believes that phone pockets take away from instructional time, she also questions how long the policy will be effective in keeping people from going on their phones. She says that “last year, people will really start to slowly not put their phones in their pockets, and teachers won’t notice”.
Senior, Jordan Silver adds that she doesn’t necessarily agree with the new phone policies, “so many things could go wrong with that.” She continues by saying, “I think phone pockets are okay, so it’s easier to focus in the classroom, but anything like taking it to the office isn’t okay, since we’ve had lockdowns in the past, and it can be really scary without your phone.”
Not being able to contact your friends and other loved ones during emergency situations such as lockdowns can be an addition to an already stressful situation. In fact, one of our College of the Canyons teachers, Dr. Jimenez, who has been teaching dual enrollment in Castaic High for 3 years agrees with Silver saying that in case of an emergency, it would be better, and safer, to have your phone on you, instead of having to collect your phone at the front of the classroom, you’d be able to run and hide easier.
Jimenez adds that the first time she had taught here in 2021, she was having issues with students who’d constantly be on their phones and only asked that they keep them away while she’s teaching.
Aside from returning students, new freshmen’s previous perception on phone policy may have been changed. Freshman, April Galindo says, “I didn’t expect phones to be in pockets, I assumed we’d be able to have our phones on us, but obviously be unable to use them 24/7”.
For most students, the first month of school has gone by quickly, and with the weather slowly getting colder there are many things to look forward to this fall. This includes our Aloha themed homecoming occurring on September 7.. Tickets will be available on Monday, August 26 for the initial prices of $35 with an ASB card and $40 without. This year, it’s expected to have more people present at homecoming, due to the lowered prices and new theme, which were highly suggested by students.
With the first week of school being finished, we have many more events to look forward to this upcoming school year, and can hope for students at Castaic to have a great school year!
