Mr. Neal, the vice principal of Fruita Middle School, has given us the answers we’ve been looking for. Questions about the new schedule and protocol for our school. He has given us insight on things like, the new phone policies, and how the short passing periods are affecting us. 

Many students and teachers have been wondering about the new phone policies, and how they truly affect the school. Well luckily I got Mr. Neal to answer our line of questions about this topic. “I think it's amazing." Says Mr. Neal. As we talk more about the policy it also came up that it helps kids to connect. “I think making connections is the most important.” Mr. Neal also said during the interview, letting us know how the phone policies are making students be more social. Mr. Neal’s insight is truly incredible to have, knowing how he feels, and how he believes it affects the students at FMS. 

Short passing periods are another new change about the schedule at FMS, and I got Mr. Neal to tell me about the change, and how it has affected the school. “It is a learning curve.” Said Mr.Neal. The new schedule, especially the shorter passing periods have been hard to navigate, and knowing that it’s not just the students who feel this way can help us move forward together as a school.

Fruita Middle school advisory (1st hour) has become longer this year than it has been in the previous years. Some have been wondering how it affects FMS. Whether it's a good or bad thing, and how it makes the students and staff feel. Mr. Neal has said "As we experiment with our new schedule, we need to seek feedback” As Mr. Neal touches on this question, it helps us understand that everything that is new this year, is an experiment, and we have to come together and find what works, and what doesn’t. 

Students are truly enjoying the short Fridays, but some teachers feel that it is taking away from the time they need in class to get their lessons done. Mr. Neal said, “I am saying yes to the short fridays, but saying no to some beneficial things for the students.” When Mr. Neal elaborated this, he explained that he sees short Fridays as a good thing, something that can be very helpful to the school as whole because the staff has extra time Friday afternoons to plan and help the students move forward with the school. But, Mr. Neal also explained that saying yes to one thing, means saying no to another, things that could be good for the kids. So, we must navigate this as a school, and decide how to make it good for the students, and staff.

The vice principal at Fruita Middle School has finally brought us the answers we have been looking for, from wondering how the principals feel about the new phone policies, to knowing how the short Fridays are affecting our school. Having the principal’s insight can really make us think about where Fruita Middle School is going, and where we want it to go.