Students attended the April Forum, led by juniors Blake Stoner-Osborne and Chloe Williams, today during lunch to discuss various topics including concern over conflict between CAASPP testing dates and preparation for AP testing.

Juniors expressed their opinions regarding the four days of CAASPP testing they had undergone over the past two weeks. Students brought up concerns about the chosen testing dates, claiming that holding the testing the two weeks before AP tests took away from valuable class review time. Principal Bjorn Paige, however, explained that holding it after AP tests would not be ideal either due to the nearness of the end of the school year.

Students also expressed frustration concerning the extra time in between the completion of the test and the end of the testing period, since some teachers did not permit students to do homework or use the time effectively. Paige said that the administration would take such concerns into consideration for next year.

Teachers Kerry Koda and James Hrzina expressed interest regarding the implementation of mindfulness and mental wellness activities at school. Koda brought up the idea of integrating such activities throughout the school year. Ideas for such activities were suggested including an open mic events for students to share their experiences with mental health.

Students and teachers positively responded to the idea of holding classes outside at various points during the year or possibly holding a recess during homeroom, allowing students to participate in games such as four square and handball.

Those who attended the forum also discussed the new Capstone program which may possibly be offered at LCC and Torrey Pines in the future. This program would allow students to participate in an AP seminar class as well as an AP research project class, allowing students to learn in depth about a particular interest. Students suggested the implementation of something similar at SDA, along the lines of an optional senior project.

Students also considered the idea of buying a giant chess board for students to use at SDA. Concerns were brought up by ASB about the possibility of damage or stealing of the pieces, but the majority of those who attended the forum did not believe that such actions would occur. Students also suggested that the chess board could be created by the woodshop classes rather than bought, allowing students to express SDA culture.