There are several new things in this school this fall as students return to classes. The real buzz is about the newly repainted gym floor and the refurbished library in the high school.

    Librarian Michelle Graf said that curiosity about changes in the library has more students coming into the library. However, many students still are not lingering, Graf said.But she does think student use has increased.

   “I think it has a little,” Graf said. “I hope it will bring more people in throughout the year.”

   Students in the school obviously enjoy the new library, but Graf said she want students to make it a place where students can gather and read.

   “I had a few students in the morning before school starts,” she said. "I have had people if their class is reading something, they would come in here to read it.”

   The brand new couches are comfortable, and they serve more than one purpose, Graf explained.

   “We wanted to make it look more updated. To make it more inviting to encourage kids to pick up a book and read it if they have the time,” she said.

    In addition to being a comfort zone, it is also going to be an activity room. Graf said that she is thinking about doing activities in the library including, chess, trivia and Scrabble tournaments. If you want to be part of the fun then you have to sign up in the library.

    So what do students think of the library's new look?

   “It’s a lot better,” said Zach Wadkins, a junior.

   “It’s a great improvement and a better atmosphere.” Deanna Cummings, senior and library aide.

Gym floor now Falcon Blue

   What school has a repainted gym? West Franklin High. The gym floor was repainted this summer with school colors: blue, silver and black.

   To help protect the new finish there are more strict rules about cutting across the gym or taking off your shoes to make the gym stay the way it is. No students have been caught cutting across, yet that is.

   While Coach Chuck Lee said the new paint job was a boost to school spirit, he did not think it played a role in getting more students exciting about coming out for sports.

   "I think the students enjoy the gym," Lee said. "It promotes school spirit - not more participation in sports." He added that the girls in volleyball, would play whether the gym was painted or not.”