Week One at Old Colony

On Tuesday, August 30, Old Colony was once again filled with new and old faces of both faculty and students. Over the months-long summer break, the school administration has been working hard to begin enacting new policies for the school year.

Buses will now drop students off by the cafeteria. Over the summer, new walkways were constructed to allow students to get off the bus and enter directly into the cafeteria where they may participate in the school’s grab-and-go breakfast program.

The breakfast program began last year as a way to encourage students to eat a healthy morning meal in order to increase their focus and better their academic performance throughout the day. The program also aids in teaching students to make healthy nutritional decisions. This year the program has only grown, allowing students to come in, purchase breakfast, and enjoy it until the end of first period at 8:15 am.

On September 7, pictures will be taken for new student IDs, which for the first time will be required to be worn at all times during school. This new policy was enacted to ensure student safety and has already been enacted at a number of schools across Massachusetts.

In addition to a few new policies, Old Colony has also welcomed many new students. As always, the incoming freshmen began their first year in their academic classes, but in just two weeks the eager young beavers will begin exploring their many choices of shop. Whether they have their heart set on one shop or are completely unsure, all freshmen will try a variety of options over the coming exploratory weeks.

Older students have spent their first days getting right back to work. For juniors returning to academics, this means classes and summer reading tests. For sophomores and seniors returning to shop, this means setting back up and starting new projects.

For a few dozen exceptional students, this fall signifies the beginning of their membership with the National Honor Society. The Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, September 30 at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria. Invitations have already been sent out to the proud families of these select few who have been chosen to represent OC’s NHS branch.

In the past, OC’s honor society has been very involved in our school and community, and this year is no different. NHS members will be volunteering their time and labor to Sharing the Harvest Community Farm. Sharing the Harvest Community Farm was established to alleviate hunger in Southcoast Massachusetts. The Honor Society members will assist in harvesting produce and readying it for donation to local hunger relief programs. They will also be assisting at this year’s Apple Peach Festival in Acushnet on September 12-13, and they are currently planning this year’s Trunk or Treat event at OC.

All in all, Old Colony is off to another eventful school year. Further information on OC’s new policies and upcoming events can be found at www.oldcolony.us.

By Elizabeth Jerome