Edison Intermediate School (EIS) has adopted a new schedule this year. There are three different weeks of rotating classes: A week, B week, and C week. Each week the periods rotate in groups of three. Also the sixth and seventh graders now have a study hall, the eighth graders do not have a study hall due to scheduling conflicts and them picking their own electives. “Study hall is a very good time in the day to talk to counselors and get homework done, or ask for extra help,” stated Mrs. LaNova Schall, EIS principal.
What are some of the cons of the new schedule? Some students claim the negative aspects of the rotating schedule are that it is confusing, stressful, and has too many alternative schedules for advisory, assemblies, and half days. According to research, “Students often became overwhelmed by the experience of adjusting to eight or more teachers in one day and juggling multiple assignments and tests over a full school year,” (Rettig and Canady).
This research correlates with the opinions of an eighth grade student, Siyona Karira, “The [new] schedule stresses people out.”
Another thing that some students dislike about the schedule is the lunch times. “I don’t like the schedule because sometimes I have to eat at 10 o’clock in the morning and other times I eat at 1 o’clock,” explained Nicholas Voice, a seventh grader.
Varying the lunch timing is proven to disrupt the students’ diets and eating time. “Eating meals at the wrong time can lead to weight gain, even if energy intake is not increased” (John Hopkins Medicine).
Furthermore, some students and teachers tend to get confused on which period of the day is next. Many of them carry around schedules. “I would be lost without my laminated copy of the schedule,” said Mrs. Christine Cabrales, EIS Physical Education teacher.
But the schedule is not all cons; there are some advantages to the new schedule. Some of the pros include study hall, getting students prepared for high school, and not having the same classes at the same time every day. “Ultimately, the right master schedule is one that balances the needs of students, teachers, and the wider school community”(AMLE). Many students believe that study hall is very beneficial and needed. “I like study hall because it gives me more time to do my homework so I don’t have to worry about it after school,” explained Gavin Ball, a seventh grade student.
Gavin liking study hall to do homework shows that it is beneficial to those that have after school activities and will not have time or energy to complete homework after school.
Another pro to the new schedule is that it prepares students for high school. “School schedules are more than just a framework for classes, they shape how students learn, interact, and maintain their well-being. From the flow of the academic day to the balance between coursework and enrichment opportunities, scheduling plays a key role in student success” (Willows Preparatory School). The changes made during the school day allows students to adapt to different times of classes especially in college and high school where the class time is not always the same. “I think it is beneficial because we need to be flexible,” stated James Diamond, an eighth grade student.
In the future these students are going to be able to handle unexpected situations and time management when a class time is changed or a work shift is rescheduled. Overall, the new schedule has many aspects, some being beneficial and others needing improvement. What are your opinions about the schedule?
