After six years, the district returned to 8 blocks, from 9 periods. Instead of meeting every day day for one class, students take four different courses on “A” and “B” days

“I like the change, although I didn’t think I would because I was so used to three years of 45-minute classes,” senior Caitlyn Broadnax said. “I honestly was so negative about it.”

The decision to return to block was made after the district conducted a study of the high schools’ master schedules.

“We held several focus group discussions, parent meetings, teacher meetings and I met with student groups on each campus.” Superintendent Jim Vaszauskas said. “Providing an opportunity for all to have their voice heard was critically important to gathering valid information.”

The change meant teachers had to modify their lesson plans.

“It has helped my lessons because I get to give out more information,” AVID teacher Nicole Collins said. “It’s good for them to get certain things all at the same time.”

Collins said that adapting to the schedule has been challenging.

“I miss a whole block with them (the students) and so depending on the week there’s one class I’m only seeing for two days,” she said. “It feels like they’re missing a lot more that week.”

The district added an extra 20 minutes in Block 2/6 for an advisory program, which will include announcements, study hall and AVID strategies.

“The focus should be on Cornell notes, annotations and reading complicated text,” Collins said.

Lunch is now split into three parts of 45 minutes, during Block 3/7 instead of it’s own period.

“Since I have B-lunch, it’s kind of weird leaving and coming back,” Broadnax said. “It honestly gives me more time to do other work or a break from that class.”

Collins said the schedule is beneficial to higher-level courses.

“For the classes that are more rigorous such as AP, students get extra time to explore information,” she said.

Senior Kaitlyn Nguyen said assignment loads vary for her classes.

“I’m unable to adjust to the amount of homework because the teachers give out a lot at once,” she said. “But it will help me retain information because that means more time to study (and) fabricate questions that I’ll need help on.”

Broadnax said the change is for the better.

“It really does give you a lot more time, if there’s homework you have another day to finish it up,” she said.

Students still have access to Ben Barber Career Tech, dual credit, College Board advanced placement, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.

“(The schedule) balances out our after school activities and jobs,” Broadnax said. “We have so much more time to utilize and priorities our busy lives.”