Valley secondary schools open

Douglas County middle schools and high schools kicked off their fall semester on Monday.

At Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, Miki Trujillo talked to her new class about respect.

"You need to step up and be young adults, and that starts with respect," she said.

Trujillo teaches ninth-grade health, but this year added a seventh-grade student leadership class to her schedule. She told her students they needed to develop leadership skills and use them both at home and school.

"What you learn here, you need to take out there," she said.

The new generation of middle schoolers were instructed to stand up, put their hands over their hearts, and pledge to promote respect, fairness, trustworthiness, responsibilty and leadership.

At Douglas High School, Ernie Monfiletto was addressing his new class in a different tone.

"Some of the stuff you'll read in here is going to aggravate you, going to make you mad, and that's healthy," Monfiletto said. "You need different perspectives, to think outside the box, and take risks."

New students of Monfiletto's 11th-grade advanced placement U.S. history class distributed text books amongst themselves and mulled over the pages.

When class ended, students flooded the commons area near the front of the school. New sophmores, juniors and seniors formed clusters in different areas, talking with friends and checking out new faces. The whole room buzzed with excitement. Younger students looked nervous and wary of their surroundings. Older students appeared cool and confident amid their peers.

"I want to finish school with a bang," said senior Casey Carlisle. "Good grades and good memories."

Douglas County Police Officer Greg Shields stood near the entrance to the gym. Having worked on campus for 8 years, Shields said it's important for students to remember that he is there to help. He stressed the importance of adult mentors, teachers, counselors, administrators and police officers and said students having problems in school or at home can always find guidance.

Douglas High principal Marty Swisher roamed the school with fresh energy and anticipation. He spoke eagerly about two new programs: a culinary program where students will have the opportunity to work in an indutrial-scale kitchen, and the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, the "Tiger Battlion," starting soon.

"It's going to be the best year ever," Swisher said.

-- Scott Neuffer can be reached at sneuffer@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 217.