With record breaking snowfall of eight inches as recorded by the National Weather Service Feb. 2-4, the snow day policy went into effect, extending the school year. Instead of being released May 20, seniors will finish their school year June 1 barring additional snow. "I don't like that school is getting pushed back," senior Pascal Sikorski said. "All AP tests would be done by then and I'll be sitting in my classes for a month doing nothing. We end up playing games in class since there's no work or lesson plans." The state of Missouri requires 1,044 hours of school each year, and seniors must meet required hours. To give seniors an early out for the first time, the board chose to allow seniors to stop at 1,044 hours during the 2021-2022 school year. However, the snow days offFeb. 2-4 and Feb. 24-25 meant seniors had to add another one and half weeks to meet the 1,044 hours for state graduation requirements. "I wish we started school back in August because it's unfair to the seniors and juniors," senior Connor Reed said. "Starting earlier gives us more time to prepare for the ACT and AP exams." Snow days used to be made up before graduation, but that was before the state changed the law requiring to start late in August. "I feel starting school earlier would help keep seniors from staying in school past their actual graduation," senior Avery Zerillo said.
Snow days continue to delay summer
Teachers have been taking over the role of subbing in other classrooms because of the shortage of substitutes. The district, which is trying to offset the shortage, has reached out to individuals willing to substitute at least 10-15 times per semester. Howell offers flexible hours, a supportive working environment, and $95 per day. Subs must meet minimum qualifications. "The qualifications are 60 college credit hours, a sub certificate, and a training course," school administrator Lori Litzinger said. To report an absence, teachers will report to Frontline (formerly Aesop), a website where jobs are immediately listed on a substitute's profile. However, after COVID-19 struck the St. Charles area, a sharp decline in substitutes has occurred. "Some of it is still due to the pandemic," Litzinger said. "There's just not many out there." If a teacher reports an absence and the position is not filled, the school's administration team asks other teachers on campus to fill in. "Teachers in the building will come into play. We will send an email or try to call teachers," Litzinger said. "We will try to fill from within our teachers." Litzinger appreciates teachers who are willing to be proactive and step in. "Our teachers are great and are always willing to help out in an open position," Litzinger said. Expectations for classroom behavior and assignments remain the same when a sub is in the classroom. Both teachers and substitutes are asked to follow the classroom's list of protocols. "There really is no difference," senior Sam Nichols said. "Depends on the person, not if it's a sub or a teacher. Some might be really strict, while others just don't care."
Tyler Rauser, staffwriter
New hip hop group looks for sponsor to become official
Spotlight Francis Howell High School fhhstoday.com Vol. 51, Issue 5 March 2022
2 NEWS
Clair Stewart, staffwriter
Substitute shortage continues
Sophomores Benji Niboh, Binh Le, Chris Baue, Akhil Presingu, and freshman Mayla Stith. Photo by: Nat Fletcher
Sophomore Akhil Presingu wanted to make a music club with his friends, one that would appreciate and make all types of music. Presingu is the president of the Hip Hop Group, along with vice presidents and fellow sophomores Benji Niboh, Binh Le, and Chris Baue. "The Hip Hop Group has around 30 members. Our goal is to drop a single by the end of the year, ranging from the inspiration of different genres including hip hop, rap, trap, and alternative rap," Presingu said. "We're trying to gather all musical talents around the school, of people who are generally interested in music, to have conversations about music as a hobby or being involved in musical production. The groups' main goal is to perform original music along with covers of popular artists such as Tame Impala, Frank Ocean, and J. Cole. "People think rap genuinely contains delinquent lyrics, so we're making music without mentioning drugs or girls. We're just trying to figure out how to not be corny teenagers rapping about this stuff," Presingu said. The group has yet to find a school sponsor, prohibiting them from becoming an official school club. The Investment Club snagged a sponsor the group hoped for. "I think we don't have a sponsor because no one wants to sponsor a cub that they don't find interesting or fun. We were going to ask Mrs. Schultz before the Investment Club asked her to be their sponsor," Presingu said. The group plans to keep looking.
Nat Fletcher, staffwriter
Friday, March 11, FHSD superintendent Nathan Hoven announced his retirement from the position in June. The board voted unanimously to place deputy superintendent Kenneth Roumpos as interim superintendent for the 2022-2023 school year. Hoven served two years as deputy superintendent and chief academic officer before being promoted to superintendent in July 2020. Hoven and Roumpos will work together over the coming months to ensure an easy transition between leadership roles.
District superintendent Nathan Hoven set to retire after 2021-2022 school year
Libby De La O, web editor Sophomore Caroline Farris with her snowman. Photo by: Caroline Farris
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The streetview after the snow day, Feb. 24. Photo by: Anna Rausch
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