Pace Yourself With PACER Testing
The FitnessGram Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) Test is a requirement in Grant High School’s freshman Physical Education course. Every month, while jazzy music plays in the background, students run 20 meters back and forth across the gym until they can’t run anymore. That sounds hard enough in itself, but it gets even more difficult: You have to increase your distance by 10% each time. For example, if you run 30 lengths during the first test, you have to run 33 the next time, 36 the time after that, and so on. Once you reach 50 lengths, the test gets easier: From then on, you only have to increase by 5% each time. The most stressful part of all, however, is that if you don’t sufficiently improve your score, your grade is marked down. With that in mind, it’s worth approaching the PACER with a strategy. We recommend not going all out on the first PACER. Starting with a modest score means you can maintain an A throughout the year without pushing yourself past your breaking point.
Beware of the Hollyrood Field
Not too long ago, the Hollyrood campus served Portland Public Schools’ tiniest students as an early elementary school. However, due to overcrowding, the building became home to Grant’s language classes in the 2022–2023 school year. When you only have seven minutes to reach your next period, it may seem tempting to take a shortcut across the field that divides the main building from Hollyrood. But, current Grant students warn, if you value your shoes, just don’t. Rain turns the field into a muddy, sole-sucking, pants-spattering swamp. If it’s wet outside, walk along the sidewalk; however, on sunny days, the field is a safe and speedy way to your next period.
Be Ready for Anything With 9th Grade Inquiry
Instead of history and world studies classes, all Grant freshmen are required to take 9th Grade Inquiry. But the content of the course varies greatly from classroom to classroom. For example, in the 2022–2023 school year, Sara Deede was giving geography lessons around the same time that Suzanna Kassouf was educating students about climate activism. In addition, the class is supposed to teach study skills and help students stay organized, much like classes in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. Exactly what you will do depends on your teacher, but in general, look out for geography, his-
tory and lessons about organization in your Inquiry class.
Don’t Be Afraid to Switch Your Electives
Thought you liked woodworking, but are actually more interested in theater? If you don’t like one of your electives, you will often be able to switch into another class within the first two weeks of the school year. Email your assigned counselor (based on which freshman community you’re in — take a look at StudentVUE) to request a course change. If your counselor doesn’t respond to an email in a timely manner, go to their office. It’s easy for messages to get drowned out by all the others in their inbox, especially during the first few weeks of school.
Download the Trivory App
Trivory is by far the most helpful app when starting at a new school, especially one as big and intimidating as Grant. The app shows the school schedule, including times of sports games, spirit week themes, the bell schedule and more. This is especially helpful to see if it’s an A- or B-day — your first four periods are held on A-days, and your second four on B-days. Trivory is the best app to download at the beginning of the school year so that you can stay informed throughout the year — you’ll catch yourself using it daily.
