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A-Time: possibly the most controversial schedule change in our school’s history. You could ask numerous students, and the opinions on it would be split. However, one thing is for certain. Each student would say they would love a later start time, and A-Time is the solution.
Our hour and a half free time occurs 2nd period every Thursday during our White Day block. Occasionally, it is switched to the first period due to testing. These days, it becomes optional to attend, allowing us to catch a few extra Zs. Many students are wondering why this optional A-Time isn’t happening every week.
Since A-Time is unique to AHS, Principal Mike Hayes had some special input. He described the opportunities for “enriched educational opportunities''. Guest speakers get to come in for various classes, such as representatives for Environmental Science or professional dancers for Spanish classes. If we were to move A-Time to an earlier time like the first period, these people wouldn’t be as willing to come in. Furthermore, schedules for both teachers and students would conflict with A-Time if it was at any other point in the day. Some teachers go between schools, and students are a part of Excel TECC or CCP, requiring consistency in schedules. Most importantly, A-Time creates a culture within the school. Having an optional A-Time would mean less kids are showing up to school, hurting the healthy climate that AHS has.
On the other hand, I interviewed a member of the student body about A-Time. Junior Lana Witmer is not a fan. As a CCP student, she has a lot of study halls during the day. When she has no work to do in her study hall on top of A-Time, she feels like her day is pointless. She, among many other students, is suffering from a lack of sleep. She says, “That extra bit of sleep would make the world of a difference.” The American Physical Therapy Association references the CDC in the data that more than 2 out of 3 adolescents aren’t getting enough sleep. Lana’s statement seems to hold some truth. The APA also notes that studies on later start times have shown an increase in student GPA, increased attendance rates, and an increase in student attention, among other things.
Clearly, there are two very valid arguments to both sides. So, what should AHS do to make everyone happy? Here’s an idea: an optional A-Time once or twice a month.
Those optional A-Time days are super beneficial to student’s health, especially in terms of sleep. An extra hour of sleep would work wonders for students. However, A-Time is vital to the balance of a pupil’s life between school and extracurriculars. The best of both worlds would come from this solution.
Essentially, A-Time would be switched to the first period once or twice a month. On these days, students would have the option of sleeping in or coming in. This allows there to be no worries in concerns with students getting to school. Unfortunately, they just won't get the extra sleep if it is necessary for them to come in early. Students that need to make up work or meet with a teacher can utilize this whenever it's needed. This option wouldn’t happen constantly, so the “culture and climate” of the Greenhouse would still remain strong.
Our exclusive study hall is quite the interesting topic. While not everyone will be happy, there are ways to improve this beneficial addition. Having it as optional once or twice a month would give students a chance to snag another hour of sleep, while also getting the opportunity to catch up on work.
Written by Ava McGovern
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