Students and teachers adjusting to new schedule

Students+were+able+to+submit+schedule+changes+before+the+middle+of+September.+The+new+schedule+caused+some+holes+in+students+schedules.

Photo By: Steven Stein

Students were able to submit schedule changes before the middle of September. The new schedule caused some holes in student’s schedules.

It is no secret that the newly implemented 5×5 schedule is the center of many scheduling conflicts and restrictions for the student body. 

The choice to enforce such a drastically different system has, in turn, forced some students to make difficult choices on activities they’re willing to sacrifice because there’s simply not enough room for a variety of classes. 

“I have mixed feelings about the 5×5,” junior Adriel Reza said. “I have more opportunities to get credits but I have fewer opportunities to do the things that are supposed to make high school fun.” 

Furthermore, due to the difference in class lengths throughout the day, some teachers are having to slow down lesson plans for the 90-minute classes to ensure they’re not moving too far ahead of those in the 75-minute classes. 

“It’s still early but I’m trying to anticipate it,” government teacher Mr. Aaron King said. “By the end of the week, that fourth-period class could be an hour and fifteen minutes ahead of first. I haven’t experienced those problems yet, but I feel like I could anticipate that.” 

In spite of conflicts, this new schedule could provide students with a more extensive amount of opportunities for credit.

“Students had seven opportunities times four years equaling 28 opportunities for credit,” Principal Jesus Hernandez says. “Now, these kids have 10 opportunities times four years equaling 40 opportunities for credit.” 

It is to be expected that the beginning of the school year students are adjusting to new schedules and sending course change requests. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that the new schedule has caused a tough adjustment for some. It can only be hoped that throughout the year, students and administration alike can work out issues together as the school works to adjust to the change in policy.