Upcoming: The Good, The Bad, and the In-Between

Cafeteria Dances

Sweaty, bright and wild, this year’s MORP will retain legendary status for years to come. The dance was boosted by the neon graffiti from East’s premiere urban artists, hype from “Stop the Bop” ‘s insanity, and most of all, the intimate and uniting cafeteria dance floor.

After the positive responses a cafeteria-hosted Homecoming received earlier this year, as well as the freshmen mixer in September, the lunch room was selected by Student Council to host the mix-and-match dance too.

Expect to frequent the cafeteria for other official dances this year, like the Down Syndrome Dance, WPA and the upperclassman-only ROMP.

Senior Seminar

This year, with reversed block days and the anchor class assuming the start of the week rather than the end, the universal study hall that is seminar continues to adapt with an open-ended experiment.  Starting next semester, seniors with above-C semester grades, zero unexcused absences and no 09-10 suspensions will be able to determine the fate of their own eighth period.

For most, this means unprecedented freedom. Not enrolled in a seminar class, outward-bound students are free to leave campus or continue to visit teachers-as long as they don’t loiter on East grounds.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for [seniors],” Principal Dr. Karl Krawitz said. “It provides them a little bit more freedom. In second semester, seniors are already starting their transition away from high school.”

All seniors applying for seminar exemption must submit completed eligibility criteria forms by Friday.

Sportsmanship Scrutiny

Last year’s athletic functions witnessed the full gamut of fan support – from the infamous baby powder throwing at the Northwest game (see left) to the fan ejection at the basketball state playoffs.

According to Principal Dr. Karl Krawitz, the Kansas State High Schools Athletic Association demanded a tighter leash from East’s administration over the school’s fan base, namely at the boys’ varsity basketball games. And although the administration didn’t agree with some of KSHSAA’s statements, the bottom line was clear: if East fans didn’t refrain from boos, foul language and disruptive behavior, the KSHSAA may bar fans from sporting events.

Such a ban would not only instigate an uproar from the student body, but would also cost East precious revenue that comes from ticket sales and concessions at games. This season could become a make or break for East basketball under the KSHSAA officials’ watch.

“I really hope…that we go to these things proud of who we are, and standing for what we represent and not necessarily at someone else’s expense,” Krawitz said. “I have every belief that our students…have accepted that.”

Choir Concert

Singing from the halls of Village Presbyterian Church, the choir of yesteryear was sandwiched between the great arch of the main sanctuary. Yet the organ, vaulted ceiling and textured atmosphere of the church dwarfed the then-under-construction home auditorium.

This year, the highly-rated winter choir concert returns to the remolded Dan Zollars Auditorium on Dec. 8. Although the acoustics are still confined by the lack of proper equipment, the seating will be much more comfortable and much more available than last year’s performance.

Snow Days

Veteran East winter warriors again face another back-to-back snow-day-less winter as the November heat wave crawls into December.

The official call for a snow day comes from superintendent Gene Johnson, who confers with members of the Board of Education and the Blue Valley and Olathe District superintendents before canceling a day of school.

Other barometers that mark inclement weather include the reliability and stability of transportation, if sub-10 or -20 degrees are present and whether or not the snow in parking lots will be plowed before the 7:40 a.m. bells.

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