Welcome back to the students and staff of Kennebunk High School. We hope you had a wonderful and fulfilling summer. As we kick off the 2022-2023 school year, we would like to inform our students about new changes that have been put in place, including the blue and white schedule, phones, bathroom rules, advisory, and lunch. 

As we returned to in-person learning last year, we had a fixed blue and white schedule. This was unpopular and so this year, we are happy to announce that we are back to our traditional rotating blue and white schedule. 

As we begin this new school year, the phone rules have only a few changes. Last year some teachers enforced the phone caddies, while others did not but still expected phones to be put away. This expectation has not changed for the new school year; some teachers might enforce the phone caddy while others may just ask for your phone to be put in your backpack. Regardless, the main expectation is that during class, cell phones are turned off and put away, even in study halls.

In the spring of last year, almost all of the bathrooms in our school were closed. This was because poor choices were being made. This resulted in extremely long lines and students being away from class for long periods of time trying to find a bathroom. For our return this fall, the decision has been made that all bathrooms will be open. However, more supervision will be put in place around the building. A pass system will also be put in place to help minimize the number of students leaving class. Finally, detentions will be given if more than one student in a toilet stall. In order to keep all bathrooms open this school year, we need to work as a team and be respectful of our school. 

Advisory is a period of time in our day when students get to meet with their advisor and fellow classmates. Advisory is meant to be a time to come together as a group. This has been a little difficult over the past few years. At the end of last year, we began a community circle to help students in advisory to connect better. The community circle will continue this year with a once a month extended advisory. 

For the last two years, lunchtimes have been a little bit unique. We found ourselves enjoying our lunch from a distance and in many different locations: sitting outside, in the cafeteria, or in gym B. This year the locations for lunch will be changing. The tent will be moving from the front lawn closest to Fletcher Street to the side of the building closer to the main cafeteria. Students will have the option to eat lunch in the cafeteria or under the tent outside. 

As you can see, quite a few changes have been made for this school year. Some people may be pleased with these while others might feel differently. No matter how you feel about the changes, the best thing our student body can do is find a way to adapt to the new rules and work as a team. Let’s make the 2022 to 2023 school year a great one.