Before I ever set foot in the Community School of Davidson (CSD) High School building, I knew my way around Spartan Park, specifically the soccer field. I’ve been a soccer player for 10 years and one of the things I wanted to do when I transferred to CSD was join the team. That happened weeks before the first day of classes.
The team had many interesting and fun things to do. I began practicing with people I would get to know traveling for games, people who, even if we lost, would still be fun to be with every day. The snacks and sandwiches before games were extraordinary, too.
The first person I met was Jackson. He was also new to CSD and usually played hockey but wanted to try something different this year. He also wanted to meet some new people and see how good the team is.
When the first day of school came, it was finally time to pack my backpack and a lunch and head to the building for my first day.
The ride in was pretty nerve racking as I did not know many people. It felt like butterflies in my stomach I was really nervous
Walking into the building was a restoring moment for me because it was a chance to meet new people and start all over again. I was surprised by how small this high school is. Usually when I picture high schools in my mind I think of these huge campuses but this was not the case at CSD.
I remember a girl greeting me when we were in advisory on the first day. It was welcoming and she made me feel like I was a part of this community.
Going to my locker was a first. At my old school, Bradley Middle School, we did not use lockers. Because of Covid-19, students could spread the disease between the lockers. Having a locker again was pretty astonishing.
(Kennedy Donley)
The classes I take are really cool. Having a weight training class is explaining to us how to work out properly and exercise our bodies. I was very intrigued by the leadership class. This class teaches you how to become a leader and stand out when it comes to revealing things about yourself.
Something I find different about this year is we have a dedicated Learning Lab time for getting work done so we don’t have a load of it to do later. I get more time to myself at home to do my favorite things like practice soccer or even play videogames, something to just relieve stress after a long day of school.
Jumpstart is a 10-minute period in between 2nd and 3rd blocks for students to do anything we want. Doing work, chilling with friends or playing in the gym, it can be whatever we want it to be. Jumpstart is refreshing not having to go to class immediately.
Jumpstart feels like a well needed brain break to gather yourself before any tests or quizzes. I have not experienced anything like it before. Since classes are usually back to back to back in the morning, it is a much needed brain break.
For Jumpstart on the first day I just wanted to learn more about the school so I took a walk around the building before it was time to go to class.
I feel the CSD students are more welcoming than other places.
For example, at practice, my teammates made it a priority to get to know each other from the beginning. We usually say “hi” at school, too.
Before I knew it, my first day had passed and it was time for the final bell.
Leaving school the first day was relieving, because I didn’t know what to expect.
I went back home because I just wanted to lay in my bed after a long day of school.
My head was spinning with all these new people and new things. I had to adjust.
Since that first day, I have met several other new students and they think the same thing.
As for Jackson, the first CSD student I met at soccer, we are close to finishing our season both as defenders. We see each other a lot in the halls and sometimes we have lunch together.
If I were to share an opinion on transferring schools and coming to CSD as a new 9th grader, I’d say my first day at school was great and I think that CSD is an amazing school for people who are new, who want to feel welcomed and who want to learn new things.
