How Long Does School Actually Need to Be?
As second term comes to an end, the thought of whether going to school five days a week for seven hours a day is actually necessary. Can we still get the full value of our education while going for less days and for less hours? Personally, I don’t think we need to for that long. COVID-19 has helped show that. It has brought a great deal of change to the educational system, and caused school schedules to be modified. Term 2 was the start to the newest schedule change. Wednesday became a distant learning day. Now, not only are school days shorter, but the week is as well. As this change was different, and something we weren’t used to, it brought a mix of feelings. The term progressed, and with it brought positive feelings towards the change.
On Tuesday, December 8th there was a District meeting held. During the meeting, the modified schedule was talked about. Many statistics were given. The stats came from surveys that were sent out about the Wednesday schedule. I’d like to talk about the student survey. 15,583 students took the survey, and 87.7% believed that having Wednesdays off has been a positive experience. Having Wednesdays off has allowed for many students to have a break in the middle of their week, which I think is a great thing for mental health. It’s a day off school where students can work on assignments from home. It is also a day to catch up. Here is a chart that shows what having Wednesdays off has allowed students to do:
*Note that there is overlap in the data
As you can see, having Wednesdays off has allowed students to do a variety of things. Ones that benefit their lives, and make for a less stressful week. Students are still able to learn without having to attend school for five days in a row. When asked how the new schedule has affected her, senior Ashten Abbott said, “I have had more time to do my homework.”
The District’s goal is to get back to five days of school a week, but for Term 3, the model schedule will continue. What are your thoughts on this? Has having Wednesday’s off benefited you? Do you think it’s necessary to have school five days a week for seven hours a day or should a permanent change be made?
Andrew • Feb 4, 2021 at 7:54 AM
I think we should take Wednesday’s off even without covid going on it helps a lot. You can catch up with your sleep, work, and you can have a mental break from school.
Anna • Jan 21, 2021 at 11:41 AM
I think the break in the week is good for getting work done and is also good for the people with lots of stress with school. I think the change should be permanent.
Walter Semidey • Jan 21, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Honestly I like this new schedule because one we get to catch up on sleep on Wednesday and I have been able to get my grades up as well.
Aaron Gundersen • Jan 5, 2021 at 11:41 AM
I really hope that they keep the current schedule.
Harper Wilson • Jan 5, 2021 at 11:39 AM
I totally think that we should remain with this schedule, I have gotten my best grades ever with this schedule as well as many others have, having the wednesdays off also helped with not having overload work when i got quarantined. Which did happen more than once.
Asher • Jan 5, 2021 at 9:04 AM
This is a good article and mentions the changes with Covid
Calvin • Jan 5, 2021 at 7:54 AM
Great work I love this article!!!!!!!!!
Allison • Jan 5, 2021 at 7:52 AM
I see the change as a good thing for everyone, and this includes teachers. Having a day off has helped me with my grades, and homework.