It’s been almost two years since everyone has been on the Agua Fria campus. How crazy is that! 

After being pushed inside due to the Covid-19 pandemic, those who were once freshmen are now juniors, and those who were once sophomores are now seniors. This means there are two new groups of students walking around. 

Aside from having new students, we also have a variety of new teachers. This 2021-2022 school year is going to take a lot of adjustment but here’s everything you need to know so far.

Starting the school year, it is very painfully obvious that there is new construction happening. What used to be C and D building is now going to be turned into a two-story building, which is very exciting considering the only building that is two stories is the library above the cafe. 

This has resulted in various teachers moving into different buildings around campus. Example being all of the government classes being moved into the library and having to listen to each other echo across from each other. 

This year’s new construction has resulted in people trying to find the best path to their classes without getting stuck in what I would like to call “literal student traffic.” The pathway near the E building had to be separated into two one-way paths so students could stop getting stuck, which has been very helpful so far.

Of course this isn’t the first time construction has taken place on campus before, as E and K building were recreated for the 2019-20 school year. The only difference is that this construction won’t be finished until after the school year, so sadly the class of 2022 won’t be able to experience it. 🙁

Also with the new school years comes various new teachers and faculty. This new school year we have 15 new faculty members! 

The new staff also includes Mr. Ealim, Ms. Williams, Ms. Atwater, and Mr. Mata, who are a part of the ESS department and who provide support for students with special needs. 

Mr. Allen and Mr. Rangel have joined the PE department alongside Ms. Ramsbacher, who has joined the Social Studies department as she teaches all of the psychology classes. 

Joining the English department is Ms. Eldredge, Ms. Marquez, Mr. McCutcheon, and Ms. German. And joining the Math department is Mr. Linnens, Mr. Hinojos and Mr. Niemczyk. And last but not least is Miss Grady teaching environmental science and STEM.

Wow! That’s a lot of teachers! So if you see any of these new Owls on campus, make sure to give them a friendly welcome.

Though we are back in school, we are still dealing with the raging Covid pandemic, which has resulted in the school creating a Covid-19 protocol. Example being on campus masks are not required to be worn, but are required to be in one’s possession.

Another factor to the protocol that was recently added was if a student contracts Covid, they must inform the school immediately. Teachers keep a seating chart of who sits around that student and lets the office know who sits within six feet of said student. Whoever is around that student will receive an email claiming they have been around a student with Covid and this exposed student — unless they are vaccinated or had Covid within the past couple of months — will have to quarantine for 10 days.

But there is one way for students to get back into school early around day 8 if the student “1) Tested for Covid-19 after 5 full days since exposure, and 2) received a negative result, and 3) been symptom-free since exposure.”

Of course, people at home won’t be forgotten as teachers will send their assignments through Google Classroom. Also, plenty of teachers will always be open to receiving emails of questions and need for guidance.

For more information about the Covid protocol can be seen HERE.

Of course the new school year has just begun so changes and updates can be given in the future. So make sure you pay attention to email for any more news in the potential future. Have a great first semester Owls!