After five years of following alternate-day block schedules, students today attended all seven of their 50-minute class periods on the first day of school for grades 10-12.
Freshmen attended their first day yesterday. During the block-schedule era, the first day of school essentially occurred twice — one day each for even- and odd-period classes.
History teacher Amanda Ersek said that she preferred last year’s block schedule due to the length of the class periods. She also said that she is tired of inconsistent scheduling. “I really like the block schedule, I had more time to connect with my students,” she said.
Senior Gavin Ersepke said that he is concerned with the academic workload that comes with attending all seven periods every day. “Having homework every day is a challenge,” he said.
Senior James Wood said that he is also concerned about homework rigor. “I’m nervous that there will be more homework this year due to the compressed schedule,” he said.
The high school employed this 10-period schedule for decades before shifting to block scheduling for Covid safety reasons. During that time, a practice known as “flex nights” evolved. It regulates days that teachers can assign homework. Each core academic department is assigned a day on which its teachers cannot assign homework. For instance, English teachers are not to make homework assignments on Thursdays.
Ersek said that flex nights are essential to the new schedule. “Teachers need to respect the flex night even if it isn’t convenient,” she said.
Junior Leo Pevnick said he prefers the shorter class periods. “It is better for my attention span,” he said. However, he said he dislikes “having to take my supplies to school every day.”
Wood also said his focus improved with the shorter class periods. “This year’s schedule feels better than last year’s. I feel less bored in class,” he said.
Jonathan Gonell, who teaches physical education and health, said he appreciates the new schedule because of its consistency. “I can build a better relationship with my students,” he said.
Junior Marcus Trice said that he prefers this year’s schedule to last year’s. “It is moving by very quickly,” he said.
Wood also said that the schedule moved fast today. “Everyone seems tired and overwhelmed today,” he said.
Said Trice, “My mood today is tired but positive.”
Raider Zone Reporter Ezra Epstein and Spotlight Reporter Charlie Howell contributed to reporting.
