Written By: Owen Weems, Staff Editor, and Ally Taynton, Staff Writer
CHANGES: Principal Darel Hansen is excited for all the new additions to Poly life, telling us what to expect in this upcoming year.
The year is already off to a great start. Students are feeling the excitement of what this new year will bring. There is a sense of hope among the students that we can leave behind the chaos of last year. From teachers to administrators, the Poly staff have been working hard to change the vision of campus moving forward. Big changes are being planned, so the students deserve to know what to expect; a good campus thrives off the openness of staff with their students. That is why, to set this year off on the right foot, we have interviewed Poly’s proud principal, Dr. Darel Hansen, asking him the questions we are sure all of you want to know.
This past summer was a busy time for school administration. They wanted students to return to a campus that was clean and safe. Therefore the Poly staff focused on quality of life changes on campus. They started with “deep cleaning every classroom on campus.” This deep cleaning went further than your average vacuuming and scrubbing, however; they made sure not to miss a single speck of dust in a room. Mr. Hansen explains that this was done to foster a better learning environment on campus. After all, kids are more likely to “engage and learn in a clean environment.” Administrators have more in mind than simply cleaning up the school, with plans to add “signs for every light pole” and “new banners to the library.” Along with this, they have plans to increase seating in the lunch areas, which have already gone into effect. Understanding the possible overcrowding that comes with the lunch restrictions, Mr. Hansen bought “new tables and umbrellas” to protect them from the shade and offer kids a place to sit. He has already seen great success, noting that kids “are appreciating the shade that [Poly staff] put in.” Mr. Hansen promises that more will come to make Poly a place all of us will find fits our needs.
With all these new additions, they have acknowledged one of the most crucial aspects of school: student engagement. Mr. Hansen told us that they had been busy during this summer, getting staff ready for the year to come. Teachers were given training on how to better engage their students, making each class more fun. Mr. Hansen believes that teachers are the “first step in helping students learn” and that they are the first line of communication with each student. He believes the “student-teacher connection” is imperative in the high school experience. A possibly little-known fact for some of us is that our Poly teaching staff has grown by more than ten since last year. Mr. Hansen is confident that our Poly community will make this transition smoothly. After all, many teachers who have been working at Poly for years have a “deep connection to the Poly community,” sometimes even preceding their time here as teachers. The newest teachers are certain “to feel right at home” with all the teachers around to help and support them.
All this work to make campus great can’t be done solely by staff; students must also get involved and show their dedication to being a Poly Bear. The work we as students can do comes in two forms: 1) joining clubs, and 2) getting to class on time. Mr. Hansen stresses the importance of “trying out different clubs.” We have “54 unique clubs on campus,” so everyone is sure to find one that speaks to them. Trying them out is how people can find some of their best friends, and experience campus life to its fullest. As to the second point, “attendance is key to getting the most out of your experience” at Poly. Mr. Hansen plans to bring back the “music that plays at the 2-minute bell” and other creative methods of increasing attendance. The Poly administrators have also begun having one administrator speak on announcements every day. Mr. Hansen believes this will show students how much staff cares, and ensure that they feel recognized.
Finally, Principal Hansen discussed the switch to Minga and ParentSquare as the main modes of communication on campus. Many students, teachers, and coaches enjoyed the convenience of Remind, but Mr. Hansen assures us that the change will be beneficial. He says, “As with any new thing, change will be uncomfortable at first,” but through research, Mr. Hansen has decided that these Minga and ParentSquare will turn out to be valuable tools. “After seeing the positive opinions of Minga” at a school he had gone to visit, Mr. Hansen was confident it could be used at Poly as well. “Communication is key on campus,” and ParentSquare will help connect staff to parents. Minga, the other app, “will offer prizes” for being involved, as well “as replacing Enriching Students for signing up for Office Hours.” The switch was made to help condense the process of communication on campus.
Many changes have been made to improve Poly, but one thing is for certain: students are in good hands. Our principal and all of the Poly staff want to make the high school experience not only manageable but enjoyable for every student.