“I believe change is something that comes with every new year” Junior, Justina Donohue says. The changes that have been put in place this year have affected the students of Triton and how they go about their daily schedules.

A lot of changes have been made to Triton High School since 2017 began. The top 5 biggest differences, this year at Triton  include the new library policy, the vending machines closing, no more snacks being bought in the café during third period, the Halloween parade abolishment and the new word of the day on the announcements and birthday pencils that Mr. Ruggere hands out every week.

The Learning Commons new rules that started this school year has caused commotion and anger throughout the Viking student body. You now have to get a pass from your teacher to come down to the library during your study period and study teachers are allowed to give out only five passes to the library per class. Not many students enjoy this change. They find it to be more of a hassle than a benefit.

“Since my freshman year, I always loved the luxury of being able to come to the library during my studies. I used to be able to come down here and do my work while hanging out with my friends. It was a nice break when you have five 58 minute classes each day,” senior, Tina Gordon explains.

Gordon says she feels like a bother to the library this year. She usually isn’t allowed to get a pass because of the new rules even when she genuinely needs one so she can use a computer or Chromebook to complete her school work.

“I think it’s just really unfair to the students. The library should be open to anyone, especially when we only have one free period a day to catch up on our assignments !” Gordon says.

Another huge difference that was made this September is the new snack policy. Assistant Principal, Kathryn Dawe got multiple complaints from teachers about students arriving late to class third period because they were getting a snack from the cafeteria or the vending machines. Dawe took matters in her own hands by choosing to enforce an updated snack policy. If students want to buy a snack from the cafeteria for now on they must do so before the first bell rings, not during the day.

Apphia Donohue says, “I understand why the policy was made this year. Some kids used to take advantage of snack period and would take 10 minutes or more to go buy a snack. I like to bring my snack from my house so it doesn’t effect me or get me mad like most other people.”

This is the first year in a while that Triton seniors couldn’t walk in their Halloween Parade. Every year, seniors get together with their friends and create their own costumes ideas for the Halloween parade that they march in in front of the high school. Due to the electricity being out the day before and on Halloween, school was out of session for those two days which meant the parade was canceled and teachers had to catch up their classes as soon as Triton reopened. Seniors were not very happy about this change.

“Not chill. My friends and I were ready to show everyone the best group costume out of them all, and we didn’t even get the chance to,” Senior William Parsons explains.

Furthermore, Parsons has a strong opinion on the all differences that were made at Triton High School throughout this year. He says “These new changes are way too extreme but at least they make me happy I’m graduating in 5 months.”