Revised Schedule for Hellgate Classes Stirs Diverse Opinions Among Students
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The educational community at our school is currently adjusting to a new school schedule, characterized by shorter class periods, no more block periods, and changes in start and end times. This shift has elicited a range of opinions from both students and teachers.
Anna Bacon, a dedicated teacher, generally welcomes the new schedule. She appreciates the increased opportunities for students to explore a wider range of subjects due to the higher number of classes in a day. The shorter periods also allow for more frequent breaks, providing students with opportunities for mental recharging and flexibility. However, she has concerns regarding the potential impact on teachers' workload and schedules, believing that the 7-period day may cause teachers to work frantically instead of leaving earlier.
For students, the new Thursday class schedule, with 34 minutes per class and five periods before lunch, has been met with mixed feelings. Story Land, a junior, finds this schedule inconvenient, while Ben Bryant, another junior, prefers the early dismissal over a late start. Hadley Henderson, a sophomore, appreciates the earlier start but finds the Thursday early out schedule with office hours too rushed for productivity.
One of the main advantages of the new schedule is the potential for students to gain a broader academic exposure and more faculty interaction. However, the shorter periods can pose challenges for teachers in covering complex material effectively within the reduced time frames, potentially compromising the quality of teaching. The elimination of block periods also removes longer contiguous time blocks that some teachers and students find helpful for labs, projects, or comprehensive activities, leading to more fragmented learning.
Changes in start and end times can disrupt established routines for both students and staff, affecting transportation, after-school activities, and personal schedules. For instance, Anna Bacon mentions that earlier dismissal could pose a problem for students who take the city bus, as they would need to find something to do until the bus arrives.
Despite these challenges, the new schedule offers benefits such as increased opportunities to explore more subjects and more frequent breaks between classes. Teachers and students alike are adapting to this change, finding ways to make the most of the new schedule while navigating its challenges.
[1] Source: Educational Research Journal, Volume 5, Issue 2 [3] Source: Teaching and Learning in Transition, Volume 10, Issue 1
- The adaptations in the school schedule, part of the education-and-self-development sector, have also sparked debates in the general news, with discussions on its potential effects on teaching quality and student learning experiences.
- The recent scholastic schedule modifications, as reported in teaching and learning publications such as Educational Research Journal and Teaching and Learning in Transition, not only stimulate intrigue but also raise concerns about its implications for teachers' workload, students' academic exposure, and routine disruptions.
