What a year to be a student at Middletown high school North. It has been a year of experimentation, of great loss, great reward, overall a year of great change. The day to day norm of school was mundane. However, with constant computer issues, effects of natural disasters block scheduling, etc. the school year as a whole was never boring. Like all years there was plenty to complain about, and many times to celebrate. At Middletown North, the sense of camaraderie we share as a school is shepherded through the unity and respect we have for each other. Whether we like it or not, we all experienced Middletown North for the school year 2012-2013.
T his school year was much anticipated. The controversy of block scheduling built anxiety, and suspense as we all waited last summer to see how or even if the adoption of Block Scheduling would work at Middletown North.
When we all walked into school on that fateful day, September 9th, when this school year began, the first “A” day in Middletown North History. From that day forward it didn't matter if you were a returning upperclassman, a teacher, or administrator we were all freshman again. Transported to a foreign environment the normal functioning of Middletown North drastically changed and all the skills and habits that one acquired to get through the school day or stay successful had to be thrown away and relearned. Some are still adjusting to it.
However as soon as the school year began to get started, and students and teachers began to get in a rhythm, near the end of the first marking period, the Northeast, the Jersey Shore, and Middletown were hit by aSuper pokies online Storm. A hurricane by the name of Sandy, combined with a mixture of two different powerful weather systems, a Nor'easter approaching from the west, a low pressure system to the north, super storm Sandy was a historic weather occurrence. On October 29th 2012 Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the Jersey shore devastating shore landmarks, and coastal areas of Middletown. High winds and heavy rain affected the entire community. Many Students and teachers, lost everything, and if it was not you yourself who were directly afflicted, it was your neighbor, relative, or fellow classmate that lost everything and needed support. After Sandy made landfall, school was canceled for two weeks. Returning to school on November 12, 2012, we lost half of November, and class curriculums already behind because of the difficulty adjusting to block scheduling were behind in many circumstances beyond repair. The combination of both plagued many classes the entire year, with many AP classes for instance unable to fully finish their curriculum.
After Sandy's devastation the months that followed were slower and more solemn. Lucky to even have a school, the schools attention was focused on the recovery efforts with nearly every club and activity raising money, and donating time to aid in the cleanup effort.
After Winter break came and went, it was a long, cold, and dry time at Middletown North. With the loss of so much school due to Sandy, not only were all snow days used up but several scheduled days off were eliminated. Holidays such as Martin Luther king Jr. Day as well as Presidents day, students had to come in for regular instruction. This long hall of school lasted from January to Late march, when a much deserved spring break would be the only resolve for a cold snowless winter. Warmer weather came with a variety of field trips, a visit from European Students, as well as the occasional town hall style meeting with Dr. George and fellow administrators on how to improve the school in light of its major overhaul. As AP exams came and went, upperclassman enjoyed their proms and a more relaxed school environment with course work coming to a quick close. The limbo that is the fourth marking period at North had new meaning this year. As the 80 minute block periods meant more computer time and projects to fill the void of class work material and student effort, the closing of this long school year could not come any quicker.
For those returning to this humble place of learning, good luck and for those leaving for greater endeavors remember the good times, and learn from the not so splendid. Have a great summer, we all deserve it.