![On Oct. 30, 24 Eco Club members took a tour of the school’s solar panels on the roof. They were guided and taught by an employee from E Light Electric, the company that maintains the school’s solar panels, and learned about how the panels are maintained and cared for. “I was definitely very excited about being on the roof in general,” Eco Club member Olivia Fang ‘26 said. “[It was exciting to] learn more about solar panels and how they work and how they supply energy to our school.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/RCH_2632-1200x800.jpg)
![Ice and snow make it difficult for drivers on the road. During snowstorms, drivers have poor visibility, and frozen roads make it difficult to stay in control. “Driving home from Denver [on Friday], the neighborhoods weren’t plowed. By the time we got back they were only plowing highways. We spun out, nearly got stuck and fishtailed a few different times,” Connor Pugh ‘26 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Untitled_Artwork-e1732045465987.jpg)
![Varsity girls soccer midfielder Leah Sheahan ‘24 hugs a friend during the Senior Night celebrations before the home game against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at Echo Park Stadium April 29. During Senior Night, seniors were given flowers and the opportunity to walk out and take pictures with their family as their future plans and favorite memories were announced over the speakers. The Jags tied 0-0, losing the Continental League Championship. “We were obviously the stronger team but just couldn’t find a way to score, but otherwise our connection and our intensity was really high so I’m proud of that. We just have to find the net,” defense midfielder Clara Geuzaine ‘24 said. “[Losing League] wasn’t the best. It’s better than last year and like, I know our team and we are doing really good. I don’t want to jinx it but like hopefully [we’ll do] good [in playoffs].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-DSC_4277-1-1200x868.jpg)
![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
Back to the Books
Students, teachers, and counselors share their thoughts on coming back to school.
September 10, 2021
- Waking up earlier than your body is used to.
- The workload that is suddenly put upon you.
- Balancing school on top of sports and activities.
- Keeping yourself healthy while changing your routine.
These are some of the reasons why coming back to school may be hard on students, teachers, and counselors.
25 students of all genders and grades took a survey about returning to school, answering questions about how coming back has affected them mentally, the workload, and the best and worst parts of their day. 100% of students said coming back has increased their stress and anxiety. Workload in classes, social standards, and amount of homework were the most common answers to what is the most stressful part of school.
“The most stressful part of school is trying to manage all of the school work, sports, and social aspects. I think the school could limit the homework and allow more grace towards students,” Lizzie Watabe ‘25 said.
Not only do students have trouble coming back to school, but some teachers have also had a hard time coming back from a long time off from a close-to-normal school year.
“Coming back to school has been two-sided. [It’s] exciting that we get to be here, back in person, learning together, and not having to do google meets. On the other hand, getting used to the new “normal” has been yet another adjustment,” World History and Geography teacher, Amy Hommel said.
Besides teachers and students, counselors have also been involved in the back to school process.
“I believe the most stressful part of coming back to school, for counselors, students, staff, and everyone, is the uncertainty around education in the past 18 months...Counselors generally feel stressed about needing more hours in the day to be able to do all we can to help, however, we are fortunate to have amazing leadership and support from Rock Canyon,” a counselor at Rock Canyon, Rachel Wagster said.
To combat the stress that the start of the school year can cause, the counselors have provided some tips.
“For academic stress, students should use access, there are amazing teachers at Rock Canyon who would do anything to help students succeed. For personal/social stress be mindful of your feelings and come to the counseling office for help, we have a plethora of resources,” Wagster said.