Start of school looms on the horizon

Danielle Switalski

The first day of school can sneak up faster than last week’s unexpected rain showers.  As faculty and staff plan for the upcoming semester, students soak up the last rays of sun and fit in as many extra hours of sleep as possible.

“I need about ten hours of sleep now because I’ve been doing so much this summer,” said senior Trent Thompson who has spent his summer days and nights working at the local grocery store and playing basketball.

Not only is the fall semester sneaking up on Thompson, but his future after high school is becoming more of a reality.  Thompson said he plans to go to college after graduation, hopefully on a sports scholarship.  This year he is mainly focusing on basketball and track, making use of the summer days to practice his full-court skills.

With the future becoming a subtle presence in the back of seniors minds, like the slight pounding sensation one gets before a headache takes full swing, faculty and staff are doing everything they can to make sure students are prepared for the academic year and, of course, the future.

“We prepare for the upcoming year before the last year is even over,” said Plains High School Principal Larry McDonald.  “We want to make sure students are in the appropriate classes and make sure our high school students are on the right track for graduation.”

Besides the obvious replenishing of school supplies for both teachers and students, McDonald urges students to get on a regular sleep pattern before school begins August 31 because “it makes it hard for students to focus if they are not well rested.”

When asked how he feels about his current summer sleep pattern, Thompson said his “sleep schedule is all screwed up this summer.”

Thompson explained he is typically on a fairly set sleep schedule during the school year, in bed by midnight, awake at 7 a.m., however, he has found himself in bed around 2 or 3 a.m. and up around noon.

This is exactly the type of sleep pattern McDonald hopes students will try to ease themselves out of and get on a semi-set schedule the week before school begins so as to make the adjustment a little easier.

Besides the need for students to get the proper amount of sleep, McDonald said he expects this to be a good year for academics.

“Last year was a very good year academically so I expect the same or better from this year in our own classes and in statewide testing,” said McDonald.

As far as going back to school goes, Thompson said his feelings are mixed, as it’s always fun to go back and see all his friends again and to see if there are any new kids in school.  Summer, however, as summer tends to be, was just too short. 

To leave returning students with one piece of advice, McDonald said, “(Students) need to set some goals for themselves and really decide what they want to get out of the school year.”

There you have it, sleep and a positive attitude will make the transition from summer to the school year bearable and, dare I say, fun.