As the Jefferson City School District gets ready for the first day of school, Capital City High School is planning new traditions as the school will have a senior class for the first time.
Capital City High School, which opened in 2019 with only freshmen and sophomores, will be at full capacity for the first time this school year.
"Opening a second high school for the first time in our district's history was monumental, and this year we are excited to welcome our first senior class," CCHS Principal Ben Meldrum said. "Our halls will finally be filled with four grades, and it feels like our Cavalier family is complete."
Meldrum said he's excited for the new traditions that will come with having a senior class.
"We look forward to celebrating our first graduation and all the other many firsts yet to come," he said. "Watching our students grow and thrive in this environment has been an inspiration, and I can't wait to see what our seniors accomplish when they graduate 'as one' after three years at Capital City High School."
The school had its first Freshman Transition Camp on Aug. 13, led by Student Council upperclassmen. Freshmen took part in their first pep rally as Cavaliers, were led in building tours and got a taste of what they can expect for their first year in high school.
Meldrum said the school will also possibly have a powder puff game, senior breakfast and "courts" for dances this year.
"We will be working to celebrate our seniors along with all of our students," he said.
The first day of school in the Jefferson City School District is Monday.
Students and staff will be expected to bring a mask to school every day and wear them when a distance of 3 feet from others cannot be maintained, such as when entering the building, in common areas, during passing periods in the halls and during small group activities, according to the district's COVID-19 re-entry plan.
Masks will also be required on school buses per a federal order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The district will have most of the same COVID-19 precautions it had in place last year, with some changes, including:
- Students will move out of their primary classrooms for music, art, library and PE classes. They will remain in cohort groups, and seating charts will be used.
- Some schools will allow students to eat meals in the cafeteria in small groups while social distancing and using seating charts.
- Schools will no longer monitor thermal cameras at building entrances or scan temperatures in car lines, but the cameras will remain in place. If a temperature above 100.4 is detected, building staff will be notified.
- Masks will not be required when students are outside for recess. Students will be encouraged to social distance and will play in classroom cohorts.
The protocols in individual classrooms, grades, school buildings, school categories (elementary, middle or high) or the entire district can change at any time based on community trends or the number of active cases in the school environment. The district will monitor COVID-19 cases and notify staff and families if the protocols change, according to the district's COVID-19 re-entry plan.
To view the full "Back to JC Schools 2021-2020 Reentry Plan," visit jcschools.us.