Students and teachers were shocked to hear that Freshman Seminar, a key program at Boulder High, might be changing next year. Until now, they have believed the changes were the result of budget cuts. However, Principal Morales says the program will not be eliminated but instead modified due to next year’s schedule change, a distinction that had not been widely communicated before. The mixed messages are leaving many wondering what next year will look like for incoming freshmen and Panther Pride itself.
“This is my favorite thing our school does. I think this is how the Boulder High community really welcomes freshmen in. I think it’s a great leadership opportunity for our juniors and seniors. We’re very smart and intelligent in today’s world, not to just expect ninth graders to know how to be freshmen and to know how to be high schoolers; we want to give them skill sets, connections, and relationships in order to help that transition,” says Mr. Debenport. Panther Pride was led for more than 15 years by Dr. Hobbs and is now co-led by Ms. Zaring and Mr. Debenport. “I have ninth graders sitting in front of me every single day, and every year I see what happens to them when they are not welcomed into our school. I want them to know that there are people who are longing and very willing to support and help them,” adds Ms. Zaring.
Jacquie Shires, ‘26, joined Panther Pride for many of the reasons Mr. Debenport mentioned: “I really enjoy connecting with my underclassmen and providing leadership that I wish I had gotten in my freshman year. My Panther Pride leaders were not that involved, so I kind of always wanted to step up and be someone whom I knew my freshmen could rely on.”
On April 26, Panther Pride students (incoming and returning) were told that Freshman Seminar was being cut due to next year’s tighter budget. “It was very shocking when they gave everyone the news. We all just looked at each other, and everyone started whispering. We had a couple of minutes to discuss between ourselves, and later we had a brainstorm session to see what next year is gonna look like,” said Shires.
“The budget cuts are no longer able to support a staff of 25 to 30 teachers,” Ms. Zaring shared. Each teacher who participates gets two paid days off. “It’s going to be a modified program with a growth mindset because there is still a lot of uncertainty right now. We are trying to figure out how we can still make connections with ninth graders without the venue of Freshman Seminar.”
“It’s hard news to hear, especially since a lot of us join because we want to meet with our freshmen and get to know them and spend that time with them in a designated setting within school. There are a couple of ideas in circulation on how to continue to connect. I think right now we’re thinking of courtyard announcements, courtyard challenges for the freshmen, more out-of-school meetups, group chats, stuff like that. Also, PTV might be more involved with Panther Pride,” Shires added.
Ms. Zaring and Mr. Debenport are still deeply committed to finding a way to continue the program and make the most out of the situation. “The money just isn’t there for the teachers needed,” stated Mr. Debenport.
However, according to Principal Morales, the changes to Freshman Seminar are not due to budget cuts. In an interview, Morales explained that the class is being modified because of a shift in next year’s schedule, and not eliminated entirely. She emphasized that while the future structure and modification of Freshman Seminar is still uncertain, the school’s commitment to supporting freshmen will remain strong.
Morales further clarified the situation, explaining, “It’s not that we didn’t have enough money to run the program. It’s purely the schedule. Because if we only have one advisory, the 20 teachers who are with Freshman Seminar aren’t available for their students. That doesn’t mean we can’t split it in half or something, and that’s why I want to poll our teachers and our students. I want to hear from our Panther Pride leaders about their ideas because they’re in there, in leadership roles, and I want to know how we can reimagine this. There are a lot of considerations, and it’s not that we’re getting rid of it, and it’s not that we didn’t have enough money to fund it.”
Still, no formal survey or poll has been launched, and with only a few weeks left in the school year, some teachers and students are skeptical that there will be one.
She added that the school used to have a seven-period day and was able to do Freshman Seminar, so it’s not impossible. Other classes, such as theater, creative writing, and many art and technical classes, are being cut, not due to the budget but because of declining enrollment, according to Principal Morales. She says that if anyone has questions, “People are always welcome to [talk]. I’m available before and after school. I am happy to answer the questions, and if people have suggestions, we’re open to that too. We just have to pull all the pieces together at the same time, which, in a school this big, there are a lot of pieces.”
As Boulder High prepares for these shifts, many teachers, students, and Panther Pride leaders are left with questions about what the changes will mean in practice. While Principal Morales maintains that the heart of Freshman Seminar–building strong community connections–will endure, it remains to be seen how these new plans will take shape next year. Whether the program’s spirit of connection can survive without its traditional structure is the challenge Panther Pride leaders, and the school, will now have to face.
