As the 2019-2020 school year heads into full swing, staff and students are looking forward to the coming academic year. From changes such as the completion of renovations, to the passing of the referendum to add a student position to the school board, Jamesville-DeWitt High School is looking forward to a year of change and success.
A student representative on the school board has been a topic that many J-DHS students have been working towards for years. “I think it’s great. We’re on the school board for our students, and they should definitely have a voice that is there on a regular basis,” said school board member, then candidate, Renee James Murad in a May interview. Over the course of the past week J-DHS students have been shown candidacy videos during their social studies classes, outlining the candidates and what they hope to achieve while sitting on the board. Students were given the ability to vote for their preferred candidate during homeroom last Friday.
“We’re on the school board for our students, and they should definitely have a voice that is there on a regular basis.” — Board Member Renee James Murad
The Positivity Project will continue to be part of J-DHS students’ daily lives. “We have a pretty active Positivity Project leadership team right now. We have students who are sharing messages and are going to start moving to social media and continuing to have the homeroom videos, and also the Monday announcements introducing the character traits,” said J-DHS Principal Paul Gasparini. The Positivity Project allows students to gain valuable knowledge on ideals and character traits they should uphold, while in school, doing sports, and in their daily lives. Gasparini says, “The #otherpeoplematter mindset, we want to make sure it’s front and center of everything we do.”
Construction throughout the school is nearing its end, after over a year of renovations. “I think the new renovations in the school are taking a while. But I like the new look of the cafeterias,” says junior Gabe Cuello. The renovations of both the cafeterias, the majority of the schools’ bathrooms, and the large group room have been completed, with the renovation of the school’s auditorium nearing its end. “I am looking forward to the opening of the new auditorium. It will be a lot of fun seeing all the musicals and all the events,” said Gasparini.
J-DHS students and staff are optimistic about the upcoming school year. “I look forward to meeting new friends in my classes and other extracurricular activities,” said sophomore Anna Doughty. “I am really pleased with the freshman class and looking forward to seeing them continue to grow and am excited, too, for the seniors and the opportunities they are going to have,” said Gasparini.
The 2019-2020 school year will bring the completion of construction, the addition of a student position on the school board, and the growth of the Positivity Project . Throughout this year J-DHS students, teachers, and the administration will strive to achieve their best and continue to carry on the high standards the school district aspires to uphold.
