It’s been a while since we’ve put out a new issue, but I hope this one will make up for it. There’s a lot going on at Pomperaug in 2012. One major thing is a new campaign against bullying—though we’ve all been bombarded with anti-bullying videos over the years, new programs at Pomperaug this year will step it up a level. . .

Thanks for picking up this issue! There’s a lot going on around PHS, and we’ve got it all covered. Find out about one of many holiday charity projects at PHS on page 5, check out a new club on page 10, or get to know Ms. O’Connor on page 6. . .

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I know everyone’s looking forward to the break. The Phoenix staff certainly had Thanksgiving on their mind while creating this issue, so we’ve got a number of articles about the holiday to get you into the spirit this week. . .

I hope you all made it through the storm and power outages okay! Last week may have been crazy, but a little snow can’t stop the Phoenix . . .

Thanks for picking up Issue 3 of the Phoenix! Although there was some scrambling to get this one out, it pulled together into what I think is a great issue.

There’s a lot going on at Pomperaug now that everyone has settled down into their regular routine, and we’ve got it all covered in this issue. You can read interviews with your newly elected class presidents, Tom DePalma for the class of 2014 and Mengting Zhang for the class of 2013, on page 5, or find out more about Ms. Driscoll, Region 15’s Teacher of the Year, on page 6. And if you’re wondering what’s up with the paper leaves and acorns taped to the cafeteria walls, check out our story on page 7. . .

Welcome back to Pomperaug! We at the Phoenixhave been working hard for the past few weeks to get this issue out to you. We’ve been writing and interviewing. We’ve been lurking in the resource center trying to hunt down unsuspecting new teachers for photos (maintaining what has apparently become a tradition here at the Phoenix...). We’ve been sending out online surveys about passports, selling baked goods so we can afford to print issues, emailing teachers, meeting with administrators, and cutting deadlines close. And here it is: the first issue of the year!

When I met with Mrs. Rodrigue last week to discuss topics for a few different articles in this issue, I thought my one question about scheduling conflicts would be a minor part of the interview. But when I asked her if she thought this year’s new scheduling system had aggravated the problem of students not receiving the classes they wanted, I was surprised to find out that she hadn’t heard about the problem. . .