This is my first year back at Weedsport, and during my time here I’ve gotten to know the school pretty well. Weedsport is a lot different than my other school, but there’s a lot I like about it here.

One difference I noticed was the start and end dates of school. Here in New York we start school at the beginning of September and end in June, but in Oklahoma I started in the middle of August and ended in the middle of May.

Another difference I noticed about the schools is the technology. At my old school, all the teachers had brand new smart boards in their classrooms. I noticed that not all the teachers here have smart boards. Another technology-related difference I noticed is Chromebooks. Here we do use Chromebooks only for a couple of classes, and they usually don’t leave the classroom. In Oklahoma each student had their own Chromebook assigned to them, they would take them to every class and they would take them home as well. Each student was responsible for their Chromebooks and making sure they brought them to class every day.

Here in New York every year you’re required to take a regents exam. Back in Oklahoma, we didn’t have regents, the only tests we really had at the end of the year was finals. Also with the finals, they offered exemptions from them. As long as your behavior, grades, and attendance meet the criteria, then the two days finals will be taking place, all kids who are exempt do not have to attend school.

The students here are very different as well. Weedsport is a small town with a small school. I noticed here the students are all closer with the school being smaller, everyone knows everyone. When I started school here everyone was nice and welcoming. Whereas if you were starting school in a bigger school like the one I was in, probably about Auburn size, everybody has a specific group of people they talk to and don’t really leave their comfort zones.