On Wednesday, CHS9 halls were filled with first‐day jitters and excitement as students reconnected and made new friends. Teachers lined the corridors, guiding freshmen as they learned the flow of the ninth grade campus.
With its special orientation of new students, each year brings new challenges and growth at CHS9.
“We’re not just training a new sixth grade class or a new 10th grade class, every single student is new,” CHS9 Principal Dr. Greg Axelson said. “Our first focus, before we even get into teaching and learning, is getting all the students just comfortable and used to being at our campus.”
This year, students are adjusting to two major changes: the state‐mandated cell phone ban during school hours and the removal of block lunch, replaced with separate intervention and lunch periods. While teachers were already limiting phone use in class with the phone caddy, students now cannot use them during school hours including passing periods and lunch.
Similar to CHS9, a middle‐school‐style schedule includes 30 minutes for intervention or clubs and 30 minutes for lunch. Rather than one block lunch, the campus now runs two lunch periods with students switching based on their schedule. Organizations such as DECA, TSA and student council remain a focus, keeping the competitive school spirit up and connecting to Coppell High School.
“Even if it’s uncomfortable at first, I think they will adjust pretty quickly,” Dr. Axelson said.
Freshman Waniya Qazzafi’s first impression was of a “definitely new environment” with “teachers already outside their classrooms ready to help.” Qazzafi admitted she was nervous at first but quickly reconnected with old friends at lunch.
“Something that surprised me was how fast the entire day goes by. You don’t really notice that it’s an hour‐and‐a‐half class,” Qazzafi said. “I’m excited to get closer with the people that I just met and also learn more in the electives I took.”
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