San Dieguito Academy’s first extended homeroom this year was held on Oct. 4. with discussions focused on creating a sense of community at SDA and recognizing and addressing problems. The idea came from SDA’s Students Developing Acceptance club.

Each homeroom was split into two groups, one of which visited a different homeroom.  Students facilitating the homeroom discussions asked questions intended to spark discussions among students. At the first meeting, a survey of questions about SDA’s atmosphere was administered.

Senior Kiley Dalrymple, member of the Students Developing Acceptance club, described the discussions as a way to “get a consensus on whether or not people feel comfortable. The survey was the stethoscope and the students were the patients.”

The club received mixed feedback from the students regarding the extended homerooms. “People appreciate the chance to be heard,” said Blaze Newman, the teacher affiliated with the club.

“[Previous extended homerooms] were kind of repetitive because everyone kept saying the same things. Everyone is happy with SDA just the way it is,” said a freshman student, wishing to remain anonymous.

On the other hand, a sophomore wishing to remain anonymous thinks that the extended homeroom idea and previous discussions have been beneficial: “It’s a good idea because we actually had a good discussion. I think that getting to know another homeroom is good because then we get to know other people. [I support] having more homeroom activities where there are combined homerooms but I think people should be able to opt out of it.”

Students interested in getting involved with the Students Developing Acceptance club are encouraged to visit at lunch on Thursdays in room 35. Students with comments or ideas can e-mail Blaze Newman at blaze.newman@sduhsd.net.

The next homeroom discussions are scheduled for Dec. 13.