While the 2020-2021 school year has brought challenges and problems, it has also brought unanticipated benefits. One such benefit for Chapman is an extremely low discipline record. Students are spending less time in principals’ offices and ISS and more time learning in the classroom.

“When you have a smaller group of people, by nature you’re going to have fewer issues and interactions,” said Assistant Principal Amy Driggers. “Teachers and staff are able to head things off a little more quickly just because there are fewer students at a time.”

Driggers believes that this past spring, when schools shut down due to the new coronavirus, students realized how valuable their time at school was, and they’re making the most of that time this fall.

“Kids are really thankful to be back at school; they’re glad to be back with their teachers,” Driggers said. “They recognize how critical their time is with their teachers and with each other, so things that would negatively impact their ability to have that time are just not happening.”

If all students are ever back in the building five days a week, Driggers says that the discipline rate will likely increase, but only because more students are now interacting with each other on a daily basis. However, she hopes to be proved wrong.

“I hope not,” Driggers said. “Those same feelings of how valuable school is and your presence in school should sustain even into the five days.”

A low discipline record reflects well on the Chapman student body, teachers and administrators, and Driggers was quick to offer praise.

“We have always known that Chapman students were especially fantastic and wonderful as far as not just academics, but their respectfulness and concern and care for one another,” she said. “I think it sets you guys apart from any other group of students. It’s one of the things that, as an administrator, when we hire new folks that we pride ourselves on. You care about your education, but you care about other people too.”

Doing schoolwork at home three days a week leaves students making a lot of their own decisions concerning time management and completing assignments on time. Driggers says that for the most part, students are making the right decisions.

“I’m just so proud of the good choices that students are making, and I hope they continue to make those good choices,” Driggers said. “I do not want kids to have made decisions in this rough patch that will keep them from doing great things later. I just can’t say enough about the kids and teachers in this building. It’s incredibly impressive to me what y’all are doing despite all of the difficulties.”