While finals are just around the corner and students are mentally and physically prepared for summer, the Bell Schedule Committee at Fountain Valley High School has already made official plans for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.
After a series of meetings and discussions, the Committee created a new bell schedule which the Department Coordinators and Administration approved for next year.
The Committee decided to cut the passing period to seven minutes, one minute shorter than the previous bell schedule.
By doing so, 180 more minutes of instructional time will be added to each class over the course of the year. The additional minutes will bring FVHS up to par with the other schools in the district in terms of how much time is spent in the classroom.
The other schedule change will affect staff members. Next year, the faculty meetings held on modified Mondays will begin five minutes earlier at 7:55 a.m., rather than at 8:00 a.m.
In addition, classes on modified days will end two minutes later.
Some things, on the other hand, will remain the same.
The school day will begin and end at the same time during both regular and assembly schedule days, and no extra minutes will be added to third period SSR and morning announcements.
For now, students seem indifferent to the changes.
“I’m not going to die if I’m forced to sit there for another two minutes,” jokes sophomore Beverly Pham. “But cutting the passing period time may be a bit of a problem, though, because it takes time for some people to get from one side of the school to the other, especially if you want to stop by your locker.”
Great article Jessie!
One more minute in class is not going to be make that much of a difference, but a shorter passing period will certainly make it harder on us students. I had class in the World Language building for 1st period this year and a class in the History building for 2nd period, and I never make it across before the warning bell rings. I would need that extra minute to make it to class before the late bell ring, and I know others would too, especially if they need to stop by their lockers.