Beginning in December, all Torrington High School students will only be able to choose one club to participate in during club time per semester.
Torrington High School Principal, Mr. Scott, describes the new rule that will be implemented starting in December. Students who are members of numerous clubs will have to choose only one club to attend during club time on Tuesdays.
One Tuesday a month will be designated to a one-hour club period. Students who do not sign up for a club will be assigned a study hall that they will report to during club time. However, students will still have the opportunity to participate in their other clubs through after-school meetings or events.
The switch to a study hall is a large change for students who are used to just remaining in their advisories when they do attend clubs. In this new system, students who do not select a club will be assigned to a study hall with a random teacher. They will go to those study halls once a month. Failure to show up for club or study hall will be considered a class cut.
With clubs being canceled since the beginning of October, many have struggled with encouraging participation. Junior Nathan Pepler, a member of numerous clubs, shares his concerns on the temporary cancellation of clubs.
“I think that it is very bad for the clubs because they’re [not making] money because they don’t have fundraising opportunities or chances to meet.” Pepler also believes that a large amount of meetings after school would take up a lot of student’s time.
The decision to temporarily cancel clubs came from the disruptions in the hallway during club time. Mr. Scott explains that many students were often wandering the halls: “Some clubs were going outside of the building which was leading to students going in and out of the building unaccounted for.” To resolve this issue, when clubs start up again, their chosen club will be listed on PowerSchool.
“When club day occurs, students will report directly to the club and faculty advisors will take attendance and will take the entirety of club time,” says Mr. Scott.
Mr. Horton, a History teacher, recognizes the pros and cons of the new rule: “[It] will help with student wandering and misbehaving but will negatively impact some of the smaller clubs which will be gone.”
Mr. Scott and other advisors “realize that some students are going to have to make tough choices.” However, he explains that there will be no limits to students on their participation with other clubs outside of club time.
“Take advantage of days we have the late bus so clubs can meet on those designated days,” Mr. Scott suggests.
The main purpose of the new rule is for school safety – to know where all students are. While Mr. Scott acknowledges that there are no guarantees in the effectiveness of these new rules, the administration remains hopeful that the changes will address previous challenges.
“Take advantage of days we have the late bus so clubs can meet on those designated days.” [/pullquote]Ms. DeMarco, the FCCLA Club advisor, sees the new rule as a positive step, making it easier for students to engage and contribute to one club: “I’m optimistic that these guidelines will have a positive effect on club sessions. With fewer distractions in the halls, students in attendance will likely benefit from greater focus and engagement.”
With the new rules in place, many are looking forward to returning to clubs in December.
