By Versailles Dalessio, Online Editor-in-Chief
Think back for a moment on all the times you have returned home beat from practice, whipped from a game, worn out by rehearsal or any other outside school activities, only to begin working on the mass amount of homework you have been assigned. It certainly isn’t something to look forward to, but many students dread it because there just isn’t enough time in the day, right? Well, with this year’s new block schedule, things are subject to change — for the better.
Similar to the 2020-21 school year, when students attended face-to-face learning on alternating days in an effort to minimize Covid exposure, Dare County Schools has implemented new procedures. For starters, we are now back in the building five days a week and everyone has the opportunity to be here together. For less obvious reasons, class schedules are being adjusted, allowing classes to continue being offered both semester and year long.
This year, First Flight introduced a new A/B schedule in which students attend alternating classes, depending on designated “A” and “B” days. In hopes of resuming traditional classes, those being offered on only “A” or “B” days are taught as year-long courses because instruction resumes every other day. Comparatively, those that are held every day on “A-B” days are taught in a semester block.
This is already an improvement from last year, with students coming to school every day instead of having to transition back to a virtual setting when they aren’t in the building. I know that I at least hated Google Meets because there were always some extra strings attached — whether it was having to look presentable for my peers, chaotic background noise from my siblings or internet issues.
Not to mention, there are certainly other benefits to this new schedule, such as the “off days” we are permitted in-between classes. Personally, this is my favorite aspect of this year’s scheduling approach.
With the flexibility that the A/B schedule provides, students have more time to work on assignments outside of class and review any course material for the following day. Essentially, if students need to catch up on their work they are given the extra time when class isn’t in session that they wouldn’t normally have access to. And if you think about it, isn’t it nice to get a break from the same routine every day? I would say so!
On the other hand, students aren’t the only ones who can get ahead in their classes, but teachers as well.
With the schedule alternating every day, teachers are able to spread out their lesson plans throughout the week and plan out instruction accordingly. They, too, need time to prepare for what they will be teaching in each subject because, after all, there is a lot of effort put into educating students and handling different curriculums. It’s also worth mentioning that the structure of a high school classroom, or any for that matter, is subject to a change in pace, allowing teachers to make adjustments if necessary.
Although we are still transitioning into this school year, most of us have already adjusted to the new change, so it really doesn’t make much of a difference anyhow. Besides, a little change never hurts anybody right? I mean, who doesn’t like some variation in the mix?
Senior Versailles Dalessio can be reached at 22dalessiove31@daretolearn.org.
