The halls are empty. The silence lays thick and heavy throughout the school, and the fluorescent lights illuminate the empty hallway in a rather gloomy manner. Everything is quiet and still. No noise comes from the classrooms, except for the occasional rustling of a paper, a voice asking a question — or answering one. Despite the silence, however, there is an odd kind of anticipation in the air; one, though, of which the unsuspecting onlooker is curiously unaware.
A moment later, somewhere within the maze of hallways and walls in the school, a bell rings — and an eruption occurs. Books slam shut, chairs squeak, doors close, and lockers are opened. The school is suddenly filled with the voices of high school students gossiping with each other about the day’s events, making the phone calls and sending the text messages forbidden moments ago and packing their bags with books and papers as they make their way to cars, buses, the gym, auditorium, or wherever their agenda may lead them. You might even see a few teachers casually exchanging a word (or maybe more!) in a now-abandoned classroom. Another day has just finished at Niagara Catholic High School.
Though this scene may seem ordinary, Niagara Catholic is anything but ordinary. It is the first school in New York state to adopt a four-day school week. Though this means the scene described above occurs an hour later each day, it is definitely worth enduring the extra 60 minutes to receive a three-day weekend every week.
As a junior at Niagara Catholic, I was thrilled when the school switched to a four-day school week. Mondays suddenly presented a new horizon for me — and my classmates. I have more time for homework, studying for my impending SATs, working on science fair projects and helping out with chores around the house, lessening the load on my parents so we can spend more “family time” together. Many of my fellow classmates work on Mondays, allowing them a bit of extra money — and another point to list on a curriculum vitae. That does not mean, however, that my long weekends are going to be spent by all work and no play. Sports practices and field trips are now being scheduled for Mondays. I myself am taking piano lessons on Mondays. The school is also opened on Mondays for students wishing to work on decorations or practice powder-puff football for the upcoming festivities during homecoming week.
Though the four-day week does come with longer school days, I do not really find this presents a disadvantage. Teachers are understanding about the fatigue which inevitably comes with the last class of the day (a fatigue which they often share!), and give less homework than before, appreciating the fact that we have one less hour to work on it, and also acknowledging we are able to complete more work during class time. Although there is no late bus, sports and club meetings finish late enough to allow most students to find a ride home. Furthermore, schedules are mixed to allow what are usually viewed as less mentally taxing classes such as art and gym to be located between traditionally more challenging classes such mathematics and history. Niagara Catholic has also instigated a sports-for-credit policy in which students can earn physical education credit by participating in sports. This allows athletes to have extra study halls in school for homework and studying instead of participating in gym class. Many of my classmates have taken advantage of this opportunity, and are enjoying the option very much.
There are so many after-school opportunities at Niagara Catholic that students do not need to go home to an empty home after-school or on Mondays to look after themselves until their parents come home from work. Besides sports, Niagara Catholic has an excellent drama club which presents several productions annually and is currently working on “Godspell”; choir, which performs at the numerous masses held throughout the school year as well as various community events; Key Club, where members perform community service; ping-pong club; mock trial team; honor society; SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), which informs its fellow students about the dangers of DWI, Internet chat lines, etc.; student council; yearbook and the organizations I myself am part of: Chess Club, TAG (Transplant Awareness Group — promotes organ and blood donation), and the Masterminds Team (our school’s academic team — and my personal favorite!). All of these programs, however, present excellent ways for a student to spend leisure time after school — especially the students who are not particularly gifted at athletics.
I hope I answered at least some questions prospective students and their parents may have about Niagara Catholic High School and, if not, at least portrayed an accurate and optimistic view of my school and the wonderful educational and extra-curricular options it gives its students. In the words of the American reformist John Dewey, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
Beatrice Preti is a student at Niagara Catholic High School.
Columns
GUEST VIEW: Lessons learned at Niagara Catholic
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HAMILTON: The SPCA and the pineapple upside-down pie
It is said that, as free Americans, we often get the things for which we ask; we also often get exactly what we deserve. Sometimes it works out to our good, and sometimes it doesn’t.
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GLYNN: Slim chance now for a real thick ice bridge
If you’re not convinced about the unpredictability of Western New York weather, consider that this area was experiencing temperatures in the mid-40s on the 100th anniversary of the ice bridge tragedy in the gorge.
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BRADBERRY: Is Black History Month Still Relevant?
I am uncomfortably recovering and slowly recuperating from a relatively minor, but medically necessary procedure which has kept me out of circulation, out of touch and essentially on my back for a lot longer than I have personally believed was justifiable; however, in this case my opinion matters not; the doctor’s diagnosis and promising prognosis trumped mine, so here I lay almost completely befuddled, nearly unable to pen a clear sentence.
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CONFER: Time to end the NFL’s blackout rule
Long ago, in a much simpler time, ticket sales accounted for the majority of revenues for professional football teams.
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CITY BEAT: Stuck on traffic
Sometimes I feel like the traffic signal reporter in Niagara Falls.
Traffic signals have been making a lot of news around here lately. There’s the whole flap about what to do to improve public safety near the Como Restaurant in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue. -
HIGGS: Discussing crime and punishment in the Falls
Have to take a detour off Pine Avenue in 1956 this week to report on an event held by the Niagara Falls Block Club Council for its member clubs and other interested citizens.
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GLYNN: Hotel Niagara plan exciting for the Falls
It all sounds like a re-run of a TV program you’ve seen a dozen times. This time, however, there is every reason to believe that the landmark Hotel Niagara on Rainbow Boulevard will be restored to the splendid atmosphere that guests enjoyed for decades.
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HAMILTON: BOE and kids, or the SPCA dogs?
There is example after example of otherwise qualified Niagara Falls’ board of education members and staffers lending their time and efforts to organizations outside of the school district’s core business.
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GLYNN: Trust in SPCA shelter must be restored
Stories about the operations at the Niagara SPCA shelter shape the image of sickening and disgusting treatment of animals.
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BRADBERRY: Old medicine and new challenges
Having suffered and recovered from my fair share of illnesses and injuries over the years, I have come to believe that sometimes the treatment and the cure of my condition can seem to be far worse than whatever I may think is ailing me at the moment.
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