Skorts next year, new school name, higher grades for senior exam exemptions? All these rumors have been floating around STA the past few weeks, but is there any truth to them? Why have they been started? According to counselor Bernie Colby, females just want to know what is going on, be a part of the action, and feel like they know something. Therefore, rumors are common with girls and spread very easily. Here are some of the rumors floating around the hallways of the Academy.
Will STA students wear skorts next year? – No Way
According to principal for student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker, there will not be skorts, skirts with shorts attached, for next year. However, stricter policies on the length of the skirts will be implemented.
‘The skirts are becoming shorter and shorter,’Â Hoecker said. ‘I do not want people complaining about how short our skirts are and it just looks bad.’Â
According to Hoecker, the administration has mentioned the length of the skirts in letters to parents over the summer and to students at school in past years. Students and parents have not responded to the complaints, and the teachers, administration, and some parents think the skirts are too short.
Skirts next year must be only 2-3 inches above the knee or about the size of an index card. Although this has always been the standard for skirts, girls have not followed the rule according to Hoecker. Hoecker also said that skirts shorter than that will either have to be lengthened or students will have to buy a new skirt. Students will also be told about these new rules in May before school lets out for the summer.
Other uniform changes are also going to be implemented next year. In addition to the pullover sweater and vest, students will have the option of wearing a black or red emblemed cardigan sweater. According to Hoecker, STA has switched uniform providers from Parker School Uniforms to Dennis Uniform Manufacturing Company because Parker no longer has a store in the area. The same sweaters and plaid skirts can be purchased through Dennis or students can buy a plaid skirt the school bought from Parker.
Another big uniform change next year involves the black pant.
‘The black pant has been totally ignored, so we are offering only two black pants from Dennis,’Â Hoecker said. ‘Students may not wear any other black pant.’Â
A new black polo may also be implemented, but it is still undecided. Next year, all uniform policies will be enforced greater than this year. According to Hoecker, any jewelry can be worn, but only ear piercings can be worn at school. No sweatshirts can be worn except STA sweatshirts only on Wednesdays and all socks and tights must be black or white. Although the skirt length will be enforced next year, students will not be wearing skorts.
Is STA changing its name?- Ain’t happening
According to principal for academic affairs Barbara McCormick, the name change rumor came as a surprise to her after some students asked her about it.
“It is not true,” McCormick said. “I don’t think we could [change the name].”
According to McCormick, the school would probably have to go through the Sisters of St. Joseph to change the name, but she is unsure how the process would work.
Will senior exam exemptions change?- still up in the air
Currently, a senior must have a 95 percent to be exempt from a senior exam second semester. According to McCormick, she, college counselor Debi Hudson, and academic scheduler Kathy Walters averaged the juniors’ cumulative grades. The average was above 95%, indicating students were receiving 95 percent or above in classes, leading them to set 95% as the mark for senior exam exemptions. McCormick, however, said there is a possibility for some changes in senior exam exemptions.
“The Department Chairs are getting ready to meet April 27 to open a discussion about [exemptions],” McCormick explained. “We are also going to talk about weighted courses, AP courses and honors courses.”
In a weighted class, a senior must have a 95 percent without the extra weight to be exempt from an exam, but some classes do not allow for exemptions due to college credit. Another issue that will be discussed, but is not for sure going to change, is when seniors can be exempt from final exams. This year, seniors eligible for exam exemptions are only exempt from second semester exams. Some classes, however, are only one semester, leaving some seniors in first semester classes without the opportunity to be exempt. Currently, any changes to the senior exam exemption policy are going to be discussed at the April 27 meeting, but none are for sure being enacted.
