Should CATS change its bell schedule?

By Xiomara A. and Nayeli O.

Teachers are considering changing the bell schedule for the next school year. But a change to the bell schedule has many ramifications. What do teachers and students think about the potential changes?

According to Mr. Mandujano, Testing Coordinator, most of the staff decided they wanted a different bell schedule for next year because teachers get to see students very few times a week with the current block schedule. He said, “They kind of want a schedule where they can see them more often, for example, 3 or 4 times a week.”

He discussed how the team who came up with the different options for bell schedules took a month and a half to decide the new schedules and how complicated it was for them. He also added that, “we do everything that is best for the students; it’s the right decision to make.”

Teachers met to discuss results from a survey, which asked teachers and students if they preferred 6, 7 or 8 periods.

Meanwhile, Mr. Candelas, 12th grade English teacher, said that the proposed options for the bell schedule would be less stressful for students. He said, “the students will have less on their plate and they will be able to focus more.”

Markus M., a junior at CATS, voted for 7 periods in the survey that was sent to students during advisory. He said that 8 periods is too much. “It is overwhelming to have to go to 8 different classes. One less just feels more academically better for me.”

“It is overwhelming to have to go to 8 different classes. One less just feels more academically better for me.”

Markus M., 11th grader

However, Ms. Sanchez, Environmental Science teacher, disagrees because the new schedule can affect students. She said, “students are already used to the schedule, and every change is going to take a little while to get used to.” She explained that this can affect mostly the 10th and 11th graders who have been at CATS longer because they are used to the current schedule.

She said she loves the block schedule because it gives teachers and students more time in the classroom and that 7 periods daily doesn’t give as much time. Ms. Sanchez said, “for science it is difficult because we can’t do projects, we can’t do experiments if we want to because they take a long time.”

Joseph L., a freshman at CATS, agrees with Ms. Sanchez. He likes the block schedule because it gives him more time to finish his homework. “I believe that if you do an all period schedule that allows you to have more stress because you have to be doing more homework for the next day.”

“I believe that if you do an all period schedule that allows you to have more stress because you have to be doing more homework for the next day.”

Joseph L., 9th grader

Even though students and teachers submitted their opinions about the bell schedule through a survey in advisory, teachers and the administration have still not shared details about the new options. It is also unclear when the new bell schedule will be determined.