Advanced Placement students are stressing over Oct. 1, the new date for declaring to take the AP test.

The old date, which was in February, has now been replaced with a new date, October 1.

This change now has some AP students stressed about if they want to declare to take the AP exam.

“I was surprised about it. I guess I always kind of liked it when it

was later in the year and kids could have more time to decide, but I guess what has happened is that AP has had some pilot programs where they’ve required the decision to be made in the fall,” AP US History teacher Sr. Jacquelyn Darner said.

Studies by the Advanced Placement Board showed that students who make the decision in the fall do better on the tests than with a later deadline.

“Personally, I’m stressed since I am super indecisive,” senior Addie O’Meara said.

However, the new deadline has not had a negative effect on all students.

“Honestly, it isn’t that big of a deal for me,” senior Abbie Russman said.

Even though statistics show this change should be good, guidance counselor Shelly Pick said that this change could affect the number of studeents who decide to declare to take the test.

Pick said, “Kids were used to not declaring until spring and it may make them apprehensive.”

The start of the 2019-2020 school year brought many exciting things with it, including the opening of the new west wing of the school.

One major detail of the new west wing is the new sets of lockers. The most noticeable difference is they are bigger than the older lockers found throughout the rest of the building.

Sophomores say that there are pros and cons about having a locker in the addition. One pro is they are bigger with more room to store practice bags as well as more books.

“It’s nice to have extra space for my dance bags,” sophomore Brianna Wemhoff said.

About half of the lockers are in the 2200 hallway and the other half right next to the hallway. Some cons are that lockers in the 2200 hallway can be difficult to open or get to during passing periods.

Many students have also noticed that they are harder to jam, meaning

they have to put in their combination every time they need something from their locker.

People with top lockers noticed that it became easier for people below them to get to their locker without being hit with locker doors or books.

“I’ve noticed that it makes it easier for people to get to their bottom lockers,” sophomore Kim Hoang said.

In addition to the new lockers, the west wing also includes two floors of new classrooms including social studies rooms, three art rooms and a new work shop.

The west wing was given a modern and open look but still looks like it belongs with the rest of the building.

“The only downfall is having the Food and Nutrition class across the hall and smelling the food,” social studies teacher Shiela Sievert said.

In total, the Monsignor James D. Dawson Learning Center and Monsignor Ivan F. Vap Industrial Arts Center cost about $5.9 million.

Opinion 3October 4, 2019

The brand new workshop in the new addition has a more modern feel.

The Pius X-ChangeAbbie Russman

Co-Editor in Chief News Editor Addie O'Meara Co-Editor in Chief Opinion EditorSara Kreikemeier Sports Editor Meredith Gamet Front Page Editor Brenna Mazour Entertainment EditorMaddie Ames Features Editor

Staff Writers Maddie Ames Ava Chmelka Alexander Fern Meredith Gamet Sara Kreikemeier Brenna Mazour Ziyal McArthur Alex Odgaard Joslyn Oglesby Addie O'Meara Abbie Russman Stacie Thompson Andy Truong

Nolan DeWispelare Adviser

The X-Change is a monthly publication of the Pius X High School newspaper staff. Opinions expressed on the opinion page do not necessarily represent those of the entire school community.

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Andy TruongStaff Writer

Earlier AP test registration deadlines: Worth the stress?

New addition brings excitement, space

Sara KreikemeierSports Editor

AP Physics and AP Calculus students study hard during class work time.

Abbie RussmanCo-Editor in Chief / News Editor

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