Block Scheduling & Female Dress Code

In an effort to align our class schedule with our sister school GCAA we made the decision to go to a block schedule. And while many teachers and students aren’t fans of the block schedule, it’s here to stay for the next three years. Some teachers are overwhelmed by the 90-minute classes. One teacher who prefers to stay anonymous says that she hates the 90-minute class because she feels it is too much time in classes and that 90 minutes is just too much for students to learn and too much for the teacher to plan to teach. Students say teachers expect too much of them. Asiana Brefford says, “I feel like it is a lot of work and it is very stressful.” She also says, “I am overwhelmed with work and I feel they have a lot of expectations of us as students.” She adds it’s not easy to sit in one class for such a long period of time. However, Niya Vaughn says, “I like the block schedule, it's better than going to every class every day.” Our instructional Ms. Payne says she personally doesn’t think 90 minutes is too much learning because it allows for labs and projects without running out of time, “I do think teachers need to plan more to keep students engaged. Teachers should make learning fun no matter how long the class, but especially for a 90-minute class.”

Frustration strikes as female students feel like the dress code is very prejudiced against them. When school administrators started sending girls home because of leggings, girls were missing their education because of the clothes they wore. Senior students Jamaya Vantreece and Christannah Shaw both stated that the dress code was very sexist because it specifically targets females and what they wear. The dress code has only really targeted the female students as they know of no male students sent home due to dress code infractions. Senior Elianna Simpson says, “Females should not be in a school environment and be uncomfortable.” Principal, Dayle Burgdorf says she understands the students' desire to express themselves and to dress comfortably, however, she says, “The dress code is in place for teaching students proper attire for the workplace.” She adds that you have to adjust your wardrobe, “I have clothes that I wear on the weekends and I wouldn't wear those to work.” Most students understand that as they have jobs and say they understand the concept of work attire and know they have to follow that dress code because they get paid. They say they don’t feel it’s necessary to have a dress code in high school to learn that. Senior Christannah Shaw says, “I feel it’s more important than the student feels comfortable at school. I think if you’re comfortable you’re more likely to attend school and do the work.” Students also point out how they see teachers with small skirts and leggings and feel that if you're trying to get female students ready for the work environment, then teachers who are working should be setting a good example.