What's up with the murals? By Brianna burke
Around the Regional, students and faculty have been sharing their feelings about the abruptness of the departure of the murals and of the anticipation of a new image for the school. We, the Sound-Off team, have been curious about the story behind their disappearance and the plan to replace them, so we decided to go to the source of the plan, as well as get some other feedback on the event.
Of course, this repainting of the murals did not happen aimlessly or hastily, as Mr. Tracy told me. The plan to paint over the murals was decided in the summer, and the fateful day during spirit week was just the day the man was available to paint. This change was made to “move the high school forward” and make it have a “student centered” environment. Mr. Tracy wants the school to represent the students of today and the students of the future in a timeless mural. He wants this “new landscape” of the school to “represent student talents” in all areas. In his research of thriving and forward thinking schools, he has seen student art on the walls, and because he wants the Regional to “become a model school and be even better,” he wants us to try to find our own ways to be inspired by these schools. Although he has received many negative opinions about the murals and the timing of the painting over them, he has also received emails from people who are happy about the change and moving towards the future.
I interviewed one teacher, Mrs. Clapp, as to her feelings about the mural’s disappearance. She said that the mural in the cafe showed the school’s history, and was “disappointed there was no discussion” about it. She thought that although change is good, we could’ve “added new faces and names” to the mural as opposed to replacing it as a way to show the effort of teachers of the past as well as a way to move toward the future.
From the student’s perspective, there have been mixed views on the issue. Our editor-in-chief, Lanie Preston, says "I think that the poor timing of the mural's removal led to it being blown out of proportion. While repainting during spirit week was a poor decision, I am excited to see what will happen next with the class representatives working collaboratively to create the mural." I think that everyone would be able to accept Mr. Tracy’s decision if they learned about his plans and the reason behind them. Although the repainting was a seemingly abrupt action, he has the school body in mind, and just wants the best for us.
If you have an interest in being a part of the mural board, they are looking for one male student and one female student, both of whom must be well rounded, to help choose the best replacement mural. To apply, bring a resume of your in and out of school activities to Mrs. Heinz, Mr. Tracy’s secretary and you could have an integral part in deciding these new images for the school!
Of course, this repainting of the murals did not happen aimlessly or hastily, as Mr. Tracy told me. The plan to paint over the murals was decided in the summer, and the fateful day during spirit week was just the day the man was available to paint. This change was made to “move the high school forward” and make it have a “student centered” environment. Mr. Tracy wants the school to represent the students of today and the students of the future in a timeless mural. He wants this “new landscape” of the school to “represent student talents” in all areas. In his research of thriving and forward thinking schools, he has seen student art on the walls, and because he wants the Regional to “become a model school and be even better,” he wants us to try to find our own ways to be inspired by these schools. Although he has received many negative opinions about the murals and the timing of the painting over them, he has also received emails from people who are happy about the change and moving towards the future.
I interviewed one teacher, Mrs. Clapp, as to her feelings about the mural’s disappearance. She said that the mural in the cafe showed the school’s history, and was “disappointed there was no discussion” about it. She thought that although change is good, we could’ve “added new faces and names” to the mural as opposed to replacing it as a way to show the effort of teachers of the past as well as a way to move toward the future.
From the student’s perspective, there have been mixed views on the issue. Our editor-in-chief, Lanie Preston, says "I think that the poor timing of the mural's removal led to it being blown out of proportion. While repainting during spirit week was a poor decision, I am excited to see what will happen next with the class representatives working collaboratively to create the mural." I think that everyone would be able to accept Mr. Tracy’s decision if they learned about his plans and the reason behind them. Although the repainting was a seemingly abrupt action, he has the school body in mind, and just wants the best for us.
If you have an interest in being a part of the mural board, they are looking for one male student and one female student, both of whom must be well rounded, to help choose the best replacement mural. To apply, bring a resume of your in and out of school activities to Mrs. Heinz, Mr. Tracy’s secretary and you could have an integral part in deciding these new images for the school!