Mt. Hope Policy Makes Extracurriculars Mandatory for Graduation

Upperclassmen at spent Wednesday morning meeting freshmen and sophomores and trying to recruit them to become new members of student organizations, clubs and sports. The fair is one resource the school has provided to help the students meet a new school policy, which mandates that they get involved in order to graduate.

"Ninth and tenth graders have to find at least one activity to be involved in," said Jennifer Cupulo, an English teacher at Mt. Hope. "That's why we are having this fall fair, to highlight the clubs we have. Most freshmen think it is just sports and say, 'I don't want to join a sport.' But this shows them that they can join a club, like the sustainability club, where they only have to commit to monthly meetings versus daily practice schedules and games for sports."

The new Civic Expectations school policy, which is being implemented this year, aims to get students more involved in school activities to help them meet people and "find their niche." School officials say that no matter what a student chooses, be it joining the basketball team or signing up for the theater club, the bottom line is that they need to start getting involved.

"Civic Expectations is also geared toward fostering an appreciation and involvement within (initially) the school and (later) the community," Cupolo said. "I think it’s a good move forward for our district."

Members of Mt. Hope's 40-plus school organizations spent the morning talking about their groups and how important it is to get involved.

"I think this event is a good idea and I wish they had it when I was a freshman," said senior Carly Ferias, who was promoting . "Everyone should sign up for something because it gets you our of your comfort zone and makes you more social."

Junior Jamie Sylvia of the Student Council said he agrees that the opportunity to host a fall fair is a great idea to get the word out to students.

"We wouldn't normally sign up a lot of people," Sylvia said. "I think this is a great idea and a great way for students to see what the school has to offer."