By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

Pelham High School keeps going long after the three o’clock bell sounds.

Students become volunteers, athletes, musicians, performers, teammates, publication staffs and club members.

While school is far from empty, students have purposeful activities. Discovering a small crowd outside of an empty science classroom was unusual.

“Are ya’ll waiting for Mrs. Cribbs?” I asked.

“Sort of,” one of the girls said. “We’re supposed to be borrowing the Chrome books for French Club. We need them to vote for officers.”

French teacher Courtney Farley rounded the corner looking for her messengers.

“I texted Mrs. Cribbs and she’s on the way,” I said. “Can I come?”

“Absolutely,” Farley said.

A large gathering of PHS French Club members circled the Chrome book cart and many more were around the room with their devices discussing the ethics of voting for themselves as French Club officers. Farley was calling for last minute votes.

“Please vote. You have only a few minutes,” she said. “Get those votes in.”

On Farley’s computer, colorful pie graphs decorated the screen. As students voted, graphs were reflecting student officer choices.

“This is cool,” I said.

“This is quick and accurate,” she said. “It’s Google Forms.”

“I’ve used it,” I said, “but I can never remember its name.”

“You have a full house,” I said. When Helena High School opened, Farley was lacking French classes to fill her day so she taught English also. Last spring, as Pelham City Schools began its third year, numbers revealed that Farley would have a full day of French classes.

“Why is there tremendous growth in the French program?” I asked as the kids laughed and said their good-byes and congrats to the new French Club officers.

“I have many freshmen,” Farley laughed. “I have no idea why so many PHS freshmen have an interest in French, but I am so excited that they do.”

Google Classroom Applications, along with energetic teachers and kids, are lighting up PHS this fall.

Having a full school of eager learners has launched Pelham High School into an exciting new academic year.