30 minutes later: new school start schedule proposal

Waking up early for a 7:05 a.m. zero period class is tough on students and staff here at CVHS, and a new, proposed scheduling change could allow students to get more sleep.

CVHS administration is debating the idea of starting school later to boost student performance and overall learning ability.

“Research has shown that high schoolers’ brains start to function better at 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.,” said Assistant Principal Jesse Hansen. The administration here at CVHS is seriously considering this data. “We are trying to improve student performance and learning,” Hansen said.

One idea is to eliminate zero period and instead offer an eighth period which would be optional. This school day would begin at about 8:30 a.m., end at around 4 p.m. for most students and close to 5 p.m. for those who take eighth period.

Another option would be to keep zero period but start it at around 7:30 a.m, begin first period at about 8:30, and finish the school day at close to 4 p.m.

A number of problems accompany the eighth period proposal. Scheduling sports games and practices, student transportation, staff meetings, and teacher contracts limiting overtime hours are just some of the potential issues.

“I’d rather have a zero period because I like to have time after school before soccer practice to do my homework. I also have to get up early regardless if I have zero period or not, because I have to do chores,” stated freshman Aiden Kelly.

Another change likely to take place next year is a kind of study hall time that was once called tutorial to allow students to get additional help from their teachers outside of classroom hours. This tutorial period would take take place for 30 or 40 minutes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, shortening block periods by up to 15 minutes each. Attendance would be mandatory, either in a teacher’s classroom or to other activities that would be offered.

“Activities would include college application workshops, guided study halls, and other electives during the tutorial period,” Hansen said.

These new scheduling changes at CVHS are propositions to improve the performance of students in school and are likely to occur starting next year. Just like in any case, the success of students is the primary goal of teachers and administration, prompting these changes in the schedule to further student achievement.