the verdicts Unsuccessful Monday schedule INCONVENIENT, UNPRODUCTIVE AND VERY EXHAUSTING
R
ETURNING TO IN-PERSON of valuable instructional time they could school this year has resulted in have received with the alternating block several major changes, one of the day schedule. most controversial among stu“Since the classes are only 45 minutes, dents being the new bell schedule. it’s not enough to settle in and actually do Before the pandemic, the Palo Alto work, so we only get 20 minutes of work High School bell schedule consisted of time,” junior Kathleen Lum said. “It also two block-period schedules with “even” takes away time from the rest of the week days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, “odd” because we only get two quality periods for days on Wednesdays each class.” and Fridays, and MonMoreover, a new disdays alternating each I think it’s also too trict policy prohibits tests, week between “even” short of a time quizzes and summative asand “odd.” Class perisignments from taking place ods were 90 minutes to really get into on Mondays in an attempt long and split between activities. to reduce student workload the two days. Now the over the weekend. However, Monday schedule has — ALEX SALZMANN, teacher this well-intentioned ban has been amended to inonly resulted in an overload clude all seven periods of work due on Tuesdays and in 45-minute blocks. We urge the district Wednesdays. to reevaluate the current Monday schedule Additionally, after attending all seven and revert back to rotating block days. periods and walking across campus from The shortened periods do not give stu- class to class all day, many students feel exdents adequate time to learn course materi- hausted. al thoroughly or engage meaningfully with “I understand why it [the schedule] the curriculum. They also deprive students exists, but I don’t like it,” teacher Alex
“
An opposing view on the 7-period Monday schedule By Carlota Blanco
Photo by Emily Yao
6 OCTOBER 2021
S
OME STUDENTS WANT a longer brunch period, while others prefer a longer lunch. Some complain of long class periods but lambaste the 45-minute periods on Mondays. Most still covet an early ending time, failing to realize their preferences will never align with those of other students. The overarching question is: Does the 7-period Monday work? In truth, I would have been happy with a wide variety of schedules, grateful to return to school after more than a year in quarantine. To have a daily schedule that I can complete in-person is refreshing, along with having healthier relations with teachers, other students, and notably, with the classes themselves.
Salzmann said. “Because I think it’s a long day for the kids, by the end they’re really tired out. I think it’s also too short of a time to really get into activities.” According to Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Don Austin, the district will not revise the Monday schedule this school year because it would overhaul the schedules of all PAUSD middle and high schools. “We share staff between schools, so they [middle and high school bell schedules] need to be consistent,” Austin told Verde. “One of the things we really wanted out of the closures was to keep the two high schools on the same schedule. And then there has to be some alignment with our middle schools, because especially at Gunn, they share a lot of staff.” Although the Monday schedule will remain the same for the rest of this school year, Austin said PAUSD will likely revisit it and make changes next year. We continue to urge the bell schedule committee and PAUSD to reconsider the seven-period Monday schedule and revert back to the alternating block day schedule. v This year, the bell schedule does not have to change — the attitude of students and teachers does. Students continue to use the same hackneyed complaint that with periods so short, they have time to do nothing. Students have plenty to use to their advantage, as assignments and assessments cannot be due on Mondays, and should approach the day with a more positive mindset. They have to stay focused and discern their readiness for the week ahead, implementing modifications accordingly. School hours are the most crucial learning hours in the day and should be used efficiently. So, let’s stop wasting our time complaining and focus on making the most of our academic journey. v
