New schedule will reward students
Activity period to begin school day next year
By Erica Castro/Staff Writer
Students who pass the entire TAKS test and all of their classes will have the privilege of starting classes at 8:30 instead of 8 a.m. when school starts next fall.
This new schedule, created by Principal Marc Faulkner, is designed to encourage students to pass all of their classes and their TAKS test, which is a requirement to graduate from high school in Texas.
The new school day will start at 8:30 and will end at 3:35. All of the classes will be the same length as before. Tutorials will still be held at 7:30 a.m., and activity period will be from 8 to 8:30.
“I really hope the new activity period will encourage the student body to pass,” Mr. Faulkner said. “Most kids want to sleep later, and with school starting later for privileged students, it will really be an incentive for the students to pass their classes so they will get at least four extra days of sleep.”
The new activity period will also give teachers more time to assist the students who truly need help, Mr. Faulkner said.
“Some students really struggle with their academics and do not always get the help they need because of all of the extra students who are in classes during activity period,” he said.
When a student does not show up for tutoring before school, he will be assigned to detention, in-school suspension (ISS), or a further punishment, according to Mr. Faulkner.
Students are already responding positively to the idea.
“It is a very good idea to have the activity period before school,” freshman Jonathan Copeland said. “Who wouldn’t want to sleep late?”
Junior Madison Little described the new 8 a.m. activity period as “an awesome idea.” and will give her extra time to get ready in the morning.
“Not only will it give me extra time to get ready, it will also give me extra time to study before school for all of the hard tests that I have to take during that day,” Madison said. “It will also give me motivation to pass all of my classes.”