By Zach Hyatt – News Editor 

Mr. Ragaini is the Dean of Students at Jonathan Law. Advocate News Editor Zach Hyatt interviewed Ragaini about the start of the school year.

Zach Hyatt: How do you think the school year has started so far?

Mr. Ragaini: I think the year has started really well. The first few weeks are always a little crazy. Everyone is trying to remember their schedules, figure out where they are supposed to be, and get back into the school routine. But overall, I think our students and staff have done a great job getting settled in. It has been nice seeing students back in the building and getting involved.

ZH: What are some of the biggest changes students can expect this year?

MR: “he biggest change students are probably going to notice is the construction and everything that comes with it. We have some different parking and traffic patterns, so there has definitely been some adjusting. I think we are all getting a little more exercise because of it! We also have some new expectations and routines that we are working on, and we want to continue giving students more opportunities to get involved and have a voice in what happens at school.

ZH: What are some challenges the school has faced at the beginning of the year?

MR: The biggest challenge has probably been getting everyone back into the routine. Summer is great, but unfortunately, it does eventually come to an end. We have had to adjust to construction, new traffic patterns, getting to class on time, and making sure everyone understands the expectations. There are always a few bumps in the road at the beginning of the year, but that is normal. The important thing is that we keep working through them.

ZH: What are you most excited about for this school year?

MR: I am really excited about all of the opportunities we have planned for students. I love seeing students get involved in things outside of their regular classes and take some ownership of their school. We have some fun events coming up, and I am especially looking forward to seeing students work together, try new things, and maybe step outside of their comfort zone a little bit. I also love seeing our seniors take on more of a leadership role. They are the oldest kids in the building now, so we are going to remind them that with great senior privileges comes great senior responsibility.

ZH: What advice would you give students to have a successful school year?

MR: Get involved, make good choices, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Come to school, get to class, do your work, and surround yourself with people who are going to push you in the right direction. You are going to make mistakes. Everyone does. Learn from them, move on, and do better the next time. And most importantly, enjoy high school. It goes by much faster than you think – even though you probably won’t believe me when I tell you that.