As the leaves turn brown and the air becomes crisp, this new school year comes with a twist. For the most part, changes are made to better an already exceptional curriculum. Whether it be changes in teachers, or friends, or classes; and that’s exactly what school principal Jerry Goings and his colleagues had in mind when changing this year’s schedule.

  One of the biggest things Mr. Goings had in mind when recreating the schedule was to give students and teachers more time for academic assistance. Which is exactly what students are currently enjoying about the new schedule. Fellow student Crystal Lee said, “It’s helpful for getting help from teachers without having to come in before or after school”.

  The new schedule change comes with both pros and cons. Unlike last year, math lab no longer exists and class sizes this year are a bit bigger. The new schedule did however bring in space for four more teachers than we had last year and overall there is about five hours more of classroom instruction.

  The new schedule was not just designed to help students, it was designed to help and lessen the teachers’ workloads. With the new built in time for academic assistance, teachers have more time to meet with students who need the extra help instead of having to meet before or after school or during lunch.

  Mr. Goings thinks that with this new schedule, there is a “changed pace and help with the energy of the school”, which teachers definitely can experience first hand because there is not as much pressure to fit in time to meet with each student. Also, with more time being spent in homeroom, students are able to create more unity within that setting because of the different grade levels that are incorporated. In the past, falcon hour and off periods were always a choice, but now there are about 1,200 more kids, according to Mr.Goings, with one less off period, which means more kids learning.

  As Mr. Goings said, “There is no perfect high school schedule.” This year’s new schedule attempts to help not only students but also teachers and it comes with perks that increase a students learning time and take away from the strain that teachers were feeling in the past.

Greta Kotova, Staff Reporter