by Josie Green

There has been a major schedule change this year. The school has decided to get rid of the students’ 8th period as well as their lunch break. This change is something that is controversial around the school. Mrs. Hale and Mr. Boyd have not given much information on why this change has happened.

The students’ opinions on the schedule change vary a lot.

“I don’t really like it, I wish we would go back to how we were,” said Junior Landon Turnbull.

However, Junior Brialan Dolin has a more positive outlook.

“I think at first I was kind of iffy about it, but now that I have gotten used to it, it’s a bit better,” Dolin said

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The importance of the schedule change is for the students to get the best education they can. Students should feel comfortable and able to get all their classes completed before they graduate. Having 7 periods instead of 8 limits the number of classes a student can complete each year. This is a struggle for students who need certain credits but do not have enough time to complete them.

“Some people still need to get classes done, and they don’t have as much time now,” said
Dolin.

This is the reality for most students who take honors and dual credit classes. Students said getting all
their credits is a key part of getting into college and setting up your future.

“Having 7 classes causes me to stress about credits; it makes me think I won’t get all the ones I need in time,” said Junior Zoey Chambers.

Many students and teachers have reported having trouble with their extracurriculars because of the schedule change.

It has caused an issue in acquiring time for in- and out-of-school activities. Students on the student council, Tri-M, and other clubs might have trouble scheduling meetings. Having a free lunch period was beneficial in many ways, but it could have also been detrimental.

“It’s causing problems with band, because we’re supposed to have the eighth period, we
always have, but now that there’s only seven classes there is less time to get that done,” Dolin
said.

“It’s less free time, and I used to work on some of my extracurricular stuff in school during
our free period, and it just makes it more difficult when you don’t have the extra 30 minutes to an
hour to work on stuff in school,” Nate Burton said.

“Where I teach electives, there is a mix of different students in all my classes, all grade levels. With the lunch schedule, that has caused some problems.” Phillip Cash said.