Just like politics at Thanksgiving dinner, the block schedule can be a touchy subject at Prospect. It’s controversial, and was actually narrowly voted against by teachers in 2021 (though covid saved it from ruin). Whether you love or hate block scheduling, right now, it’s here to stay.
That begs the question why is the first day of school a full eight periods?
I’ll admit, I’m biased; I’m a fan of the block schedule myself. I just find it odd- an already chaotic day gets complicated even further!
I think it’s even worse for the freshmen. I mean, all summer long, you’re being told about the high school experience and the new schedule that comes with it. Then, on the first day of school, you’re hit with a blast from middle school past in the form of an eight period day. The confusion it caused students was the problem. Tommy Petricca, a freshman from St. Raymonds, ran into some problems himself.
“Lunch was really weird. I ended up accidentally skipping my study hall because I went to the wrong [period], and I ended up just going to two lunches in a row.” Luckily Petricca’s study hall teacher was understanding of his woes, but it’s a situation nobody wants to be in – especially as a new student at Prospect.
Despite having just come from a middle school operating on an eight period day, Petricca already prefers the regular block schedule, which doesn’t surprise me. More work time and less homework is pretty appealing, and many students agree. Why should that change at the start of the semester? To me, making the first day of school run on an entirely different schedule is just asking for problems. Why even have it? I looked to Dania Saleh, Prospect’s Associate Principal of Instruction, for answers.
And? They kind of were asking for problems.
From an administrator’s perspective, any number of things can go wrong on the first day. A teacher not having enough desks, a transfer student not getting their iPad, students having conflicting schedules. Saleh told me that “Although it’s hectic, at least [with] the eight period day… if there’s a mistake we catch it right away”
Truthfully, I can’t argue with that. The administrators don’t want any problems, obviously, but they welcome hiccups on the first day so those problems can be solved efficiently.
“I think I see [things] from a different lens, especially as an administrator, [since] your job is to solve problems very quickly,” said Saleh. “We had a lot of study hall things that we were navigating in the beginning of the year.” For context, the district changed their policy on PE waivers, making it so they’re now a closed study hall, which is something students were informed of by counselors. ‘“Of course when the year starts, everybody’s like, ‘what do you mean I have a closed study?’”
It would probably be weirder if the first day of school didn’t have some minor issues, and logically I can see why a full first day helps to sort those issues out. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, though, and I still think it makes the day more chaotic and stressful. Some teachers think a little stress is a fair bargain, though.
“It was a lot because I didn’t get a break, [my classes] were right in a row, but in my opinion it was worth it.” Christine Stanford said of the eight period day. On a typical block schedule, teachers really can’t have more than four classes in one day. However, to start the year Stanford had five classes plus a closed study hall. Still, she prefers an eight period day so she can see her students more often, which is so kind-hearted that I feel bad I’ve been hating on it.
I don’t think starting the semester with a full eight periods is that big of a deal; both schedules have their pros and cons. If I had things my way, it would be a little different is all. There are certainly issues, but the first day of school is always a bumpy ride. In the end, it all works out.
From the words of Dania Saleh: “It’s a tough [first] day, you know, and I think we all feel that, but… it’s [also] a day we feel really connected.”
