Should Discover Your Potential (DYP) Happen Every Year?

     

     Last week in Blatchley Middle School (BMS), we had a Discover Your Potential (DYP) week. DYP is where you do classes that are out of the ordinary. The week is where students get a break from classes that you normally go to, such as math, language arts, P.E., etc. In DYP, you get to choose 4 classes out of very many options. In these classes, you can learn with students in other grades. There are many very unique classes to choose from. Due to the School District's budget, we can only have it once every other year. Because you only stay in BMS for three years, some students only get to discover their potential once. BMS should have DYP every year!

     Students need to learn more than just the general things you learn in school. DYP helps students decide what they want to do for the future. The school could start fundraisers for it. Students have been asking teachers about having DYP next year, but because we have money issues, some kids suggested fundraisers. The students in Blatchley love DYP so much that they are willing to go out of their way to raise money for the school.

     DYP is a very inspiring week for almost every student and a lot of teachers in BMS. Because of the performances in the assembly for DYP, some students wanted to try other classes. We should have DYP every year so that kids can have more opportunities to try something new. 

     Regular school classes and DYP classes are very different in a variety of ways. In regular school, we do different units in P.E., such as football, swimming, basketball, etc. In DYP, we get into more of the details in the sports. During swimming unit, we play water polo. We play in the shallow end so that everyone can participate, but in DYP, you play water polo in the deep end for the more advanced players/swimmers. To participate in the DYP water polo class, you'd need permission from the teacher to join, but in regular school, you have to participate to get good grades. In DYP, you don't receive grades! There are many differences between DYP classes and regular classes.

     DYP needs to happen every year because during this time, EVERYONE gets to discover their potential (pun intended). Don't let money take your happiness away, step up and tell your teachers to make DYP happen!