July recap: Another year of successful summer school nears end
For over 700 students, the school year doesn’t end in early June. For reasons that range from getting a jump on others in their class to making up classes that they may of struggled in, students can use summer school to their advantage.
Assistant principal Russ Marcinek is in charge of the program and says it has been a useful tool for those who have taken the courses offered.
“Summer school has gone really well… We have courses ranging from enrichment courses to remediation courses that our students are taking advantage of.” Marcinek said.
The summer school “year” started on June 15, and the program is popular with incoming freshmen, who wish to take summer gym courses to free up room on their regular school schedules.
Enrichment courses include Health, government and economics, which can be taken online or in the classroom. Remediation courses come in the form of english and mathematics.
If interested in taking courses next summer, Marcinek says to ask your guidance counselor for more information.
“(Anyone interested in summer courses) They just need to talk to your guidance counselor and administrator and we’ll be able to help them out.” Marcinek said.
This year’s summer school courses end on July 23.
August preview: CPHS prepares for a new school year
With a new school year quickly approaching, staff all across Crown Point High School are looking to begin the 2015-16 school year right.
One of the big challenges for CPHS’ staff is keeping the building up to high standards all year long. With summer school and summer camps going on, events at the school never quite stop.
“It seems like it never ends… we’re going 24/7. The building never sleeps.” freshman principal Mark Gianfermi said.
Several schools in the district saw their parking amenities upgraded over the summer, including the high school, where the student parking lot was repaved over the course of June and July. The time students spend away from the building also helps administration prepare for the needs of the incoming classes, including the new freshman class which has 718 students this year.
“I think that summer provides the time to allow us to focus on the upcoming needs and planning ahead so we can focus on the needs of the students and staff.” Dean of Students Sabrina Ramirez said.
Freshman students will also have the chance to get to know different clubs and programs at the high school at Bulldog Rush on August 14.
Teacher Shoutout: Second-year teacher Alex Tsikouris looks to improve on first-year success.
After a 2014-15 school year where Alex Tsikouris made his teaching debut, the english teacher and assistant tennis coach has his eyes set on higher goals for 2015-16.
“As a second-year teacher my goals are to outperform how I did last year.” Tsikouris said. “And to make sure my students are as prepared for the next step (college or career) as possible.”
In his first season with the tennis program last fall, Tsikouris helped coach the Bulldogs to their first regional championship in 43 years, but this season he thinks his team could go all the way.
“I 100 percent believe that we can get past semi-state.” Tsikouris said. “Once we get down to state it all depends on how hard my double teams work… As coach I see how good these guys are and I believe they can do great.”
Tsikouris’s drive to become a teacher stemmed from his goal to help young adults realize their goals for life.
“I wanted to have an effect on kids, young adults to show them that they are able to actually do whatever their goals are and be whoever they want to be.” Tsikouris said.
But when it came to the transition from the court to the classroom, Tsikouris said his ability to adapt helped him to succeed early on.
“(Transitioning from the tennis court to the classroom) was perhaps one of the hardest things that I had to learn as a first year teacher.” Tsikouris said. “I’m a little bit different on the court than I am as a teacher. I try to be as intense of a teacher as possible, but I’m also an intense coach and I think that intensity comes from competition.”
Student shoutout: Lucas Sparks looks ahead to new school year
Senior Lucas Sparks is the focus for this month’s student shoutout at CPHS.
Sparks currently works at Pappas Restaurant in Crown Point, and is interested in studying music as a career.
“I want to do something with music, probably end up going to Valparaiso University for their music program.” Sparks said. “I would like to study music education or something similar to that.”
Sparks says that classes such as music theory, which he took last year, have been beneficial to his development in studying music.
“I am looking forward to my music management class.” Sparks said. “It sounds fun and I like music so it’s a perfect fit.”
When it comes to his favorite thing about the high school, Sparks brings up the opportunities the high school provides to meet new friends and prepare for challenges later in life.
“My favorite part about Crown Point are the vast choice of classes and new ways to meet new people and make new friendships.” Sparks said.