With the new school year starting, the phrase “back to basics” may ring a bell. But what does back to basics really mean?

Alden High School’s Assistant Principal Mr. MacCowan explains, “Back to basics for us means going back to where our values start.”

This idea came about after the COVID-19 pandemic when he felt that students weren’t treated with enough kindness and respect by their peers. So he came up with a plan to start at the source. What started in the cafeteria as a basic set of rules including kindness and respect for others has become a great success.

A few ways Mr. MacCowan and the Alden High School administration are integrating their plan around other parts of the school is by creating community in the classroom. This means that the first day of school was an “unplugged day” meaning students did not use their computers. Instead, they participated in activities and learned about their new teachers.

“Its about getting to know your kids and letting your kids get to know you,” MacCowan said.

Another way Alden High School is integrating new values is through Friends of Rachel, a school club built on kindness. In a few weeks, there will be a unity day march to celebrate kindness and respect for others and their differences and a schoolwide assembly. Please be patient for more details are to come.

Now let’s have a great year.