Introduction:
On January 31, 2005, Central Bucks High School South opened its doors to a sprawling population of 1,562 students. South was the latest addition the Central Bucks School District, joining two existing high schools: CB East and CB West.
Twenty years later, the home of the Titan stands strong, having grown into a community dedicated to learning and memorable traditions. In commemoration of this milestone, the Titan Tribune is joining in on the festivities by reflecting on the past with veteran teachers whilst looking ahead toward the future. We invite you to join us as we take a glimpse into the past and celebrate CB South’s 20th anniversary.
The Beginnings:
“We were so excited…, like kids in a candy store!” Mrs. Graham, a biology teacher at South, remarked as she recalled teachers’ first impressions of CB South.
When South first opened its doors, teachers and students were greeted with streamers, welcome banners and school logos across the building. As teachers discovered their new classrooms, students found themselves eagerly exploring the hallways and asking for directions to their new classes.
Most were impressed by the tremendous size of the building: “This is just so big,” Class of 2005 Senior Michelle Ford stated in a local newspaper. “It’s a little overwhelming right now, but we’re really excited about being the first class to graduate from here,” she said.
The energy was palpable, and everyone was excited to begin a new journey at South. However, as teachers and students settled into their new classrooms, new challenges laid ahead as well: What kind of school culture would South develop? How will everyone adapt to their new class identity?
According to Sra. Hoffman, a Spanish teacher at South, students struggled to identify themselves as CB South students in the early years: “When South first opened, I remember everybody came and nobody was wearing South’s colors…, West kids wore black and gold, and East kids wore red and blue…, there was no school spirit.”
While planners had originally anticipated for South to open in September 2004, construction delays pushed back the opening date. Thus, this challenge was exacerbated by the fact that incoming students had already spent half a year at either East or West, where they grew familiar with their environment and had a hard time transitioning so suddenly. There was no sense of a “fresh start” that faculty and administrators at south had wanted students to experience, and students tended to compare South with their original high schools.
Thus, the early efforts of administrators and faculty members were dedicated to foundation building. First, they worked to instill a sense of school spirit and culture at South. Early efforts included selecting the colors Blue, Black and White for South, as well as the donation of the first Titan mascot costume in 2006. Over the years, students began to identify themselves as CB South Titans, and the community grew closer as a result.
Yet, a major problem remained: How could students feel like a tight-knit community, with individual bonds and connections, in such a large building?
The Solution: Titan Forum.
Titan Forum History:
Titan Forum stands out as a unique innovation that originated at CB South when it opened.
While reflecting upon the early priorities of the South community, Mrs. Graham offered an insightful comment: “One of our main focuses was to make sure no kid was left out from forming a bond…, in a large setting that could happen, and kids could get overlooked, so that was our biggest concern.”
Titan Forum was a solution to this concern, creating a familial space in which students and their mentor would spend three years together as a smaller group. Through the years, they would participate in activities and events, leading up to graduation where they would receive their diplomas together as a Forum.
“We focused on family groups, again, just making sure everyone connected with somebody in the school,” Graham added.
Titan Forum was a new concept, previously nonexistent at other CB schools. Through the years, despite changes due to cell phone usage and logistical alterations, Forum has continued to grow and succeed in creating a smaller, more tight-knit community at South. has enjoyed the opportunity to connect with her students and form everlasting bonds, and hopes Forum continues to be a significant part of South’s future.
Veteran Teachers – Joining the South Community:
The original faculty members at South were hired by Principal Rodney Stone, after individually applying for a position within the Central Bucks School District. As we spoke with current veteran teachers, they shared a diverse array of experiences that led to their jobs teaching at South.
Mrs. Graham shared her experience teaching with a cart at CB East and a brief teaching opportunity at Lenape Middle School. There, she fell in love with teaching biology, and soon found her way to CB South when the district began to fill its science department. Sra. Boyce had been in the district as well, previously teaching Spanish at CB East. She, along with many others from across the district, applied for a transfer to join the new faculty at CB South.
Since 2005, many faculty members have come and gone. However, the remaining dozen or so teachers have continued to keep in touch with past colleagues and remain committed to building upon the community they helped create.
Memories and Changes Through the Decades:
Although the world has drastically changed in the last 20 years, from the creation of the first iPhone to the dawn of COVID-19, South as a building remains unchanged.
“Maybe with a few more cracks, here and there,” Sra. Hoffman joked, as she reflected upon the changes in the building.
However, twenty years have changed many aspects of student life and learning at our school, primarily through technological advances, cultural change and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Technology:
When it came to describing the biggest change in teaching and learning experiences, there was one unanimous answer: technology.
On early developments, Mrs. Graham shared her insights on the Classroom of the Future initiative. Given her role as a teacher within the science department at South, Graham had the opportunity to promote the addition of class computers and introduce new ideas to her colleagues. While some teachers were hesitant to incorporate new technologies into the classroom, she was eager to discover meaningful ways to utilize technology in her teaching.
“It was a great way of helping teachers who didn’t feel comfortable with technology…, it is nice to see how much we have grown in terms of incorporating technology in the curriculum and the classroom,” she remarked.
Mrs. McLaughlin, who joined the South community as a chemistry teacher in 2007, shared her experience with technology as well. In the science labs, big computers once occupied the shelves and countertops beside the lab stations. This changed as computers improved and students received laptops. She also noted the change from overhead projectors to smartboards and Clear Touch monitors we use today.
Cell phones have also created change in the way students learn and interact at South. The opening of our school predated the creation of the modern iPhone, and most people still used flip phones.
“I can remember my flip phone breaking in half one time,” Sra. Hoffman recalled, laughing. “Cell phones could not do the things that they can do now, that’s for sure,” Sra. Boyce added.
Today, teachers and students alike share the unique challenge of adapting to modern technology and finding the best methods of utilizing its benefits in the classroom setting.
COVID-19:
The pandemic resulted in significant changes around world, including CB South, where many clubs and events were cancelled. Mr. Bucher, who has been South’s principal for 9 years, shared his administrative perspective on the changes through the years, which included COVID-19:
“It’s been an interesting nine years, because right in the middle of it was COVID…, there were a lot of challenges with COVID, and just bringing back the activities…, but not everything that changed was necessarily negative.”
Prior to the pandemic, arrival at South looked slightly different. Bucher shared how students were required to gather in the cafeteria each morning until the bell dismissed them to their classes. Today, students are free to roam the halls until 7:25 thanks to social distancing efforts.
“We opened up the entire building…, we decided to keep the procedure because it works just fine,” Bucher explained.
As for specific events and aspects of student life at South, most teachers pointed toward Mr. South.
“Everyone was so excited, and everyone was so involved…, I really felt it brought the school together,” Mrs. McLaughlin recalled.
Mr. South was like a talent show, featuring silly costumes, skits, and niche hobbies or skills. While this event no longer exists, there are many traditions that have continued at South, such as Black vs. Blue (now known as “The Clash”). The next 20 years are sure to include the creation of new events for the community to enjoy as well.
A Community of Titans:
Through the past twenty years, CB South has developed an enduring community of Titans. As we reflect on the history of our school, the Tribune asked teachers what their favorite part of the CB South community is.
Sra. Hoffman spoke fondly about the autumn Friday night lights when the school comes together to support the football team: “I always like the Fall, when everyone is excited for the football games,” she said. “It’s one thing I feel like everybody can relate to, and everybody gets excited about it; whether they just go for the Titan Terror or they want to hear the band…, I don’t feel there are other events like that.”
For Mrs. McLaughlin, she is appreciative of the community that has been built the past twenty years “I love all the extras,” she added.
Aside from the culture, memories and events at South, everyone agreed that the best part of the community is the people.
When I spoke with Mrs. Graham, she seemed to sum it up best: “We’re good people, we want the best for each other,” she said. “I know this is a tough age…, but I think, from what I’ve seen, overall, we’re good people.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for CB South?
This 20th anniversary marks a major turning point for the future of CB South. In the coming years, our school will undergo significant renovations and welcome the Freshman class for the first time in its history.
“We’re about to embark on much bigger changes,” Bucher said of the years ahead. He described the renovation plans, which include an extension along the rear courtyard and updates throughout the existing structure.
For Sra. Boyce and Sra. Hoffman, the renovations were an unexpected development.
“I could have never imagined this happening,” Boyce said. “I always thought there was going to be another school built…, CB North!” Sra. Hoffman added.
Most recently, CB South has begun to reestablish its culture and traditions following a brief hiatus due to the 2020 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of many events. “[School Spirit] dwindled for a bit, but I think now its on the rise,” Hoffman said.
As school spirit continues to rise, and our community continues to grow, there is a sense of excitement and curiosity about what lays ahead. Although South will soon undergo major changes, the last twenty years have proven that our community of Titans can overcome the challenge of change; together, teachers and students alike will continue to bring this community towards the future ahead.
