Is 90 minutes of class too long, or just right? That is the question Lincoln students have been asking themselves following the school’s confirmation that there will be a partial block schedule next year.

Next year, students will have to deal with 90 minutes of class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also among the changes are an 8:00am start time and a later 3:10pm release on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 

During the two weeks of modified block schedule that accompanied recent SBAC testing, students were either enjoying the schedule or suffering the two whole hours of struggling to stay focused in their classes. However, they weren’t the only ones coping with the 7,000 ticks of the clock’s second hand in class. Some teachers might have difficulty trying to find a way to occupy the teenagers in their classes next year with 90 minutes of educational work. Mrs. Melendez, a ninth grade English teacher, said that she is “excited to try it out” and see if it helps the students, but if not, then the school should “go back to traditional bell schedule.”

The two hours did not seem to be in vain, since it was a perfect opportunity for teachers to help some students who have a hard time keeping up with the class. Also, longer periods are useful to accomplish a good amount of work within one period. During P.E. classes, for example, students were able to finish their CPR unit.

After examining the block schedule for next year, we would like to share our thoughts on the positive and negative effects of using this new schedule.

Pros:

• Homework has a later due date

– Students only have to worry about finishing their homework from their odd-numbered classes on Monday nights and only have to worry about finishing their homework from their even-numbered classes on Tuesday nights.

• Less class materials to bring to school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

-Currently, some students are expected to bring their textbooks and other books that can make their backpacks heavy every day. Since we will have half the number of classes on certain days, students won’t need to carry as many books as usual.

• More time in a class period to complete experiments or projects in one day.

– There might not be a lot of time for projects during a regular 50 or 60 minute class period, but since there will be 90 minutes there will now be plenty of time.

• Breaks before and after each class on block days

– After a long class, we will be lucky to have two breaks in between.

• Later start time

-First period will not start until eight o’clock, giving students an extra fifteen minutes in the morning.

• More classes (optional)

– Students can elect to take a zero period.

• Block schedule will allow students to have a shorter day at school.

– School gets out early on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This year, only Mondays are early release days.

Cons:

• Staying in class for an hour and a half

– Not everyone can handle staying in their seats for that long without a break.

• Transfer students not anticipating such a different type of schedule because most schools either have daily classes or a full block schedule.

• Get out late

– Students get out at 3:10, which might negatively affect any after-school plans or extracurricular activities they have going on.