New Schedule: Take Two

As students at Carver began this school year, already marked by uncertainty, they were met by a brand new schedule. This schedule lengthened class time and split days into A, B, and C, each day relying on its own arrangement of classes. While students didn’t get a say in this new schedule, they understood that this school year would be full of new changes and challenges. Abruptly, on Monday, September 21, just 4 weeks into the school year, that schedule shifted. Students were left asking why and more importantly, whether they would have a say in any future decisions that would affect their daily lives. 

The new schedule expanded the lunch time from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, added a minute to each transition time and decreased time for Advisory at the beginning of the day and Office Hour at the end of the day. Since students don’t get the social aspect of school anymore, Advisory is the closest thing to lunch time socialization that students have in this virtual schedule. Some students, including Seniors, Khuwaylah Young and Tiani Young, are concerned that cutting this time shorter is not only unwise but can also lead to a lack of connection in the Carver community.

"Advisory is a fun social environment because our Advisor makes it so," Khuwaylah said, referring to her Advisor, Mr. TB and his question of the day that starts conversation amongst student. 

"It's the only place we can talk during school about more than just work," Tiani agreed. "It allows us to talk to our friends and classmates we may not have spoken to otherwise."

Senior Qamar Coleman, who also felt concern about the new schedule requested a meeting with Principal Dr. Domers to discuss the changes. Dr. Domers shared some of the reasons behind his decision.

“Your lunches were really only twenty minutes once you cut the first five minutes and then the last," said, Dr. Domers. "We had teachers complaining that students were coming to class late because they didn't have enough time." 

Giana Renee-Leone, a 10th Grade student, expressed gratitude for this lunch extension. 

“I like the longer lunch because it actually gives me enough time to eat, make food, and even extra time to complete work so I don’t have that much to do after school," Giana said.  “I think Advisory is enough time—Advisory is just a check in, so I don’t think it needs to be that long. But Office Hours I think should be longer to give students more time to actually learn and understand what they are struggling with.”

Seniors are also worried about shortened Office Hours. They are currently working through the college application process while juggling their classes, and possible a part-time job, and feel that they need extra support from their teachers. 

"Senior year is a lot," shared one Senior. "And as a first generation college student, my mom didn’t go through this process with my brother so I need time to talk to my teachers about confusion or complications I’m having or to ask questions that are too personal to ask in front of the whole class. So I go to Office Hours. Of course, Mr. TB and Mr. Pomales are more than willing to respond to my emails but it is unfair of me to email them all throughout the day and expect an immediate response."

Already this year, students have had to change so much and blindly follow the wind. When they finally got the feeling that they were in control of what would happen next, the wind blew and there was another major change. Students like Qamar hope that they will have input on any future major changes that will affect their school year. Dr. Domers was clear that this was something we would have to figure out together.

"Change is inevitable but growth is optional," said Domers.