Questions and answers by Class of 2007: Jolani, Michelle, Talia, Lara, Laura, Kathy, Arun, Kevin , Jordan and AJ. Here are more Odyssian Voices, Advice from 6th graders :
1. What is the path to becoming an Odyssian?
Becoming an Odyssian was a
big adventure for me. As you can see in my outline,
I had lots of work to do. The way that I found
Odyssey was because my sister was already there,
and I have seen a big difference in her because
she is an Odyssian.
I really liked the school.
When I shadowed, I thought that everyone would
ignore me, but every person in the school wanted
to make friends with me. I wanted to be just
like them and not be shy to introduce myself
to someone I don’t know. During the summer,
we had a summer packet to do, which was new
to me. I could see that this school will make
me a really good student if they make me do
this kind of work.
On the first day of school,
I was alone with my new class. One person in
my class was the brother of someone in my sister’s
class, so we made friends really fast. It took
a while to get to know my other classmates.
Finally, it was time to go to camp. Yea! When
we arrived there, most of the other kids were
acting really fun and energetic. Because of
that, I wanted to be just like them. So, I would
act jumpy and energetic throughout camp (which
is how I am now). Then, it was time for the
candle lighting ceremony. This is the time when
the 6th grade class finds out who their big
sib is. But really, it is when we become an
Odyssian. The way that I became an Odyssian
was that I can be who ever I want and that I
can be different.
back
to top
2. Is the program at Odyssey School hard?
The program is definitely
challenging. It is for GIFTED kids
after all (heh, heh). It does depend somewhat
on the teacher, how much effort you put into
it, and what you like.
back
to top
3. How long is the usual school day?
It’s
not that long. The school day ‘starts’
at 8:15, but really you should probably try
to get there around 8:10, so you put away your
stuff and change into slippers and so on. It
‘ends’ at 3:30, although the meeting
is usually over before, and you are usually
free to go around 3:25. However, a lot of kids
stay after school for tutoring and study hall.
You HAVE to be gone from school by a quarter
to 5:00.
back
to top
4. What size are the classes (how many classmates
will you have, on average)?
The limit for a class is 15
people, but right now the biggest class only
has thirteen people, and the smallest one has
10!
back
to top
5. Can you choose your classes?
Most of the classes you have
to take, but in Movement, for the first two
trimesters, you can choose between dance and
regular aerobics. In the last trimester you
take dance only.
back
to top
6. Do you learn a language, and if so, what
language do you learn?
We
learn Japanese, and the reason for that is to
promote the idea of learning new and unusual
languages. In the 8th grade, we have mastered
Japanese skills that are enough to talk and
understand simple conversations, and we take
a three week trip to Japan and we stay at Japanese
home stays, and we must speak Japanese the whole
time.
back
to top
7. Are there any extra-curricular activities?
No, there are not, if you mean
sports teams and such, but there is tutoring
after school for certain classes on certain
days. You could request to the student council,
and give your ideas, but until then, there most
likely will not be any extra-curricular activities.
back
to top
8. Do you have letter grades?
No. We have grades that represent
how well you are doing. There is no A, B, C,
D, F, but we have AS, above standards, MS, meeting
standards, and BS, below standards.
back
to top
9. Is there a band?
No, there is no band, but we
do have a Chorus that the whole school does,
and it is led by one of our theatrical teachers,
Brian Herndon.
back
to top
10. Do you have plays?
Yes, we do have plays. Usually,
they are Shakespeare plays, but sometimes we
do other plays. For instance, this year, we
did a play that our principal directed, and
we did a few Peanuts (Charlie Brown) plays.
back
to top
11. What do you do for P.E?
We don’t have a P.E,
but we have something similar called movement,
and that varies. This is the list of all the
movement I can think of:
back to top
12. Is it challenging?
Yes, but it is worth it because you become
sooooooooooooo smart, after you go to Odyssey.
back to top
13. Is there a school lunch?
No, but it helps you to learn how to make your
own lunch, for once.
back to top
14. Is there a recess?
There isn’t an official recess, but you
go outside and play basketball or soccer at
lunch for 45 minutes.
back to top
15. Are there Bullies?
No, not at all. Everyone is caring, nice, and
helpful, at Odyssey.
back to top
16. Do you go on field trips?
Yes.
You always go to Camp and Ashland at the very
beginning of the year. Then you always go to
Outdoor Ed near the end of the year. When you
go to Outdoor Ed, you won’t go to the
same place more than once. You do have other
field trips throughout the year, but there isn’t
any pattern. If there is an educational exhibit
open, Odyssey might go to it. But Camp, Ashland
and Outdoor Ed are the three field trips you
will always take. In 8th grade, you and your
class will go to Japan for three weeks instead
of Outdoor Ed. Don’t worry. You will learn
Japanese in your stay at Odyssey.
back to top
17. What’s “Self Science?”
If you are having any problems with your life,
friends or school, this is where you discuss
it. Your class, Lee and Milton will help you
get through the hard times you are having. Your
classmates will also give you support and advice.
The problems could range from having trouble
at school, to having a fight with your best
friend, to your parents divorcing. It doesn’t
make a difference because any problem, no matter
how big or small, is a problem. Self-science
is where to go for solving problems.
back to top
18. Where is everyone else from?
The school is a mixed culture school. You have
people from almost anywhere. Right now, we have
kids from India, Japan, China, Brazil, England
and many other places. It doesn’t matter
where you are from. Everyone will welcome you.
back to top
19. What is a Shadow Day?
A shadow day is a day (well actually two) that
you come to Odyssey and are paired up with a
sixth grade student of your gender. That person,
who has called you in advance, is there to help
you learn about what we do at Odyssey, our schedule,
classes and they even help you learn about most
or all of the students and staff.
back to top
20. What is Japan like -- I’m scared?
Being
someone who has never experienced Japan myself,
I will have to go from what I’ve heard.
Japan seems really scary, when you don’t
know how well you will be prepared but it will
be easy. Japan is really, really fun. All the
8th graders like going and it is a real learning
experience for them. After you have learned
a lot of Japanese in your three years at Odyssey,
and had so much preparation from the teachers
and Odyssey alumni, it will be a piece of cake.
back to top
21. Do you have a school mascot?
Officially, we don’t; but we use the
school dog, Yuki, as one, and she works just
as well.
back to top
22. Does attending this school label you a ‘nerd’?
Ultimately, no. What you’ll find is that
although we go to this school for advanced academics,
that’s not our entire personality. The
worst that can happen is that people will think
you’re smart.
back to top
23. Is this school co-ed?
Yes, Odyssey is co-ed.
back to top
Questions and answers by Class of 2007:
Jolani, Michelle, Talia, Lara, Laura, Kathy,
Arun, Kevin, Jordan and AJ
