Trojan Time causes controversy

CVHS introduced Trojan Time as an attempt to bring the students and faculty together. The administration launched a new part of the day dedicated to activities to better student relationships with each other.

“Trojan Time is looking to grow a sense of community by helping students see how complex and diverse of a campus CVHS is, and to help students understand that we all play a vital role in making CVHS the best environment that we can for one another,” said Ian Rodriquez, history teacher and CVTA vice president.

Students are viewing Trojan Time in a different way.

“I do not enjoy it because I am not gaining anything from Trojan Time. It has not been helpful to me in any way and my classmates and teachers all dread weeks including Trojan Time,” said junior Blair Stephenson.

During Trojan Time, students often watch a short presentation given by their teacher and then complete a worksheet to apply what was explained in the presentation to themselves. Past presentations have discussed self-confidence and what is most valued in a friend.

The hope for Trojan Time for the first semester is to work on growing how we see the community we have at CVHS. Second semester will potentially be a time in the day for students to study and get any help in classes that they are struggling in.

“The hope is that more students will appreciate and see the value in Trojan Time and a positive school culture,” said math teacher Ozzie Maynard.

“Having a time set apart to talk with students about school culture, identity, goals, and struggles have been the most rewarding part of Trojan Time,” stated Maynard.

Integrated math teacher Kelly O’Hern has seen a whole different side of her students.

“I know that most of my students, when asked to reflect and think about these topics, aren’t willing to share but do write thoughtful and meaningful things,” said O’Hern.

“Personally I don’t really enjoy it and many students don’t find it interesting,” said junior Molly Brennan, suggesting that the program needs to be improved.

When Trojan Time first began many students were quite sure how well it would work out. However, many students take the time to fill out worksheets and learn more about their peers.

In the past couple of years, the administration had noticed a disconnect between the students and hoped to create something to mend that.

CVHS administration is hoping Trojan Time will bring the student body together not only with themselves but with others including faculty and creating a larger community in CVHS.

“High school can be a difficult time for students, but often it isn’t the academics that is the cause of the majority of the difficulties but rather, it is how students treat one another,” said Rodriquez.