A PaliHi football player heads to classes.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
By CHAZ PLAGER
It was a hot summer’s morning Wednesday, August 14, perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities and fun. Incidentally, it was also the first day of school at Palisades Charter High School, and students found it difficult to adjust back.
“I wanna sleep another four hours,” one student could be overheard grumbling.
This teen is ready for school.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
For the first time in years, PCHS is at full capacity, with 3,000 students attending exactly, 763 of which are freshmen. Pali accepts students from nearly 100 zip codes, which would explain the high number of students.
Some local parents have expressed interest in restricting the range of students accepted to give closer kids an advantage. “That would be illegal, unfortunately,” says Pali administrator Tyler Farrell. “We’d lose our charter status.”
It wasn’t all doom and gloom among the students, of course. Some are happy to be back in the familiar routine of school, like new senior Hamish. “I’m happy to have my routine back. School, gym, home. Keeps me healthy.” Other students were happy to be back in classes with their friends, or “just one year closer to getting out of here.”
Dad drove his daughter to the first day of classes.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Unfortunately, a dark shadow of school policy hung over the courtyard that morning. That being, of course, PCHS’s new phone policy. Under the new policy, students cannot have their phones out at any time on school grounds, not even during breaks. If it is seen by a teacher, it will be confiscated.
“It’s just not fair that we can’t watch videos or listen to music on our own break. They wanna take everything from us,” said sophomore Angel Lopez.
“If they try to take my phone, I’m walking out,” said another student. “I’m old enough to have my own property.”
Students were happy to reconnect with friends.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Dr. Pamela Magee, PCHS principal, defended the decision to implement this policy. “Our policy isn’t radically different this year. We’re aware of the mental health impacts of phone overuse, and we want the best educational experience for our students. We expect to see our students far more engaged and eager to learn with this policy.”
Most students were rather displeased with this policy, but some were more apathetic. “I don’t really care. It’s not too different from last year,” says sophomore Ashlyn. “I wasn’t really using my phone at lunch anyways.”
While the ring of the bell at 8:30 a.m. didn’t stop a steady stream of students from flowing in late on their first day, eventually all the students entered their classes, and Pali High went quiet as another year of learning began.
Time for classes to start.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN