THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070053
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY COURTNEY SHOUP, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: 72 lines
B-E-E-P!
``Six o'clock,'' I say to myself as I frantically fumble in the dark for my alarm clock's ``off'' button. There must be some mistake; I usually get up at 7 a.m.
As I stretch for the snooze button, I realize that today is the day I am to travel to Norfolk Academy, which is 40 minutes away - quite a switch from the three-minute drive that I take on a normal day to First Colonial High School. Later, I learn that my commute is not unusual. Norfolk Academy students travel from all over Hampton Roads - some from as far away as Gloucester.
When my guide, Lauren, and I arrive at NA, we stop off in the junior section of the commons area. Sophomores, juniors and seniors each have their own sections, and I was surprised to see that their ``lockers'' were individual, open cubbyholes. Lauren informs me that at NA, there is an honor code that most people abide by.
Brring! The bell sounds and it's off to our first class. As I look around the room, I notice that everyone is dressed nicely - the guys sport ties and the girls are wearing either skirts or dresses. Lauren informs me that this is due to NA's strict dress code.
Next, we're off to chapel - something unknown at FC. Today, a student is giving her senior speech, which is followed by a short meeting period for class officers. Daily announcements are made at this time to the student body in person, instead of via a loud speaker.
On our way to our next class (we must hurry because we only have four minutes to change classes versus six at FC), I hear the faint sound of music from down the hall. Soon, we come upon a guy playing a guitar in the commons area. Lauren says that he has free bell this period.
Free bell is offered to each student and is a time for catching up on homework, getting extra help from a teacher or just doing about anything your little heart desires - within reason. It's similar to study hall at FC, except study hall is limited to those who sign up for the class, and you must use the time for studying.
During Lauren's chemistry class, a student asks to use the restroom, and I`m astonished - she doesn't need a pass.
After class, I check out the restrooms. Each stall is immaculate. At FC, you can usually find ``where to have a good time'' written in the stalls.
Next, there is a 15-minute break between classes. We chat with other students in the commons area and catch a bite to eat at a nearby snack machine.
The next period is called ``action bell.'' I help Lauren recruit people to sign the Prom Promise cards before their upcoming dance. Other students attend club meetings on their action bell. At FC, all of our club meetings are held after school or during lunch.
Speaking of which, we're off to the cafeteria, where we must wait outside before they open the doors. It's been a long day and I immediately want to sit down, but Lauren makes me jump. She tells me that no one can sit until after prayer is said.
Immediately afterward, there is a mad rush to the cafeteria line. Each student is assigned a job during lunch; whoever gets to the lunch line first brings the food to the table and doesn't have another job for the rest of the bell.
We are then free to eat - from our assigned seats, of course. Each serving dish is passed from student to student around the table. This cafeteria style is much different from FC's. At FC, you can walk in as soon as you arrive, sit when and where you want, and get your own food, which is very good at both schools.
When the long, but enjoyable, day ends, I feel like I need a nap! I have to admit that I didn't really know quite what to expect when I first arrived at NA. After spending a day, I decided that despite the differences, underneath it all, both schools seem much the same. School spirit, student personalities, student-teacher relations and the learning experience seem to vary little between the schools. by CNB