Raining cats and Dog Blocks

Photo by Hannah Corbett

Sophomore Jocelynne MacKenzie works in WRPS for a Dog Block activity last year.

By Hannah Corbett, Staff Writer

10/8/25

ROCKLAND- The first student choice Dog Block will happen tomorrow at Rockland High.

Sometimes referred to as Bulldog Block, this is a once-a-month occurrence, where a separate block is built into the school day, making each class around 45 minutes. Students are able to pick from a wide range of activities to do during the block. 

Teachers run activities based on what they enjoy, and students get to decide what they want to do. In September, there was a Dog Block, but all students had to go to a Vision of the Graduate planning meeting.

Sophomore Jocelynne MacKenzie likes getting to spend time with friends during Dog Block.  

“I enjoy [Dog Block] because we get to try new things and do different activities that aren’t just sitting around in a classroom,” said MacKenzie.

Her favorite Dog Block that she’s done is working in WRPS, and her least favorite was when she was put into a study.  

During the selection of Dog Block, upperclassmen get priority in what slots are available. MacKenzie believes that this is mostly fair, but is a bit unfair to the underclassmen who may really want a specific activity.

MacKenzie said, “I think [the current method of selecting Dog Block] is kind of annoying, because you have to sign into a whole another thing that they never really properly taught us how to do.” 

Students used to select their Dog Block through a Google Form. Students were able to pick their top choice, as well as their second and third choices. This helped ensure that students got a Dog Block activity that they wanted. 

Mackenzie said she preferred the old method to the current method of using an outside website to pick an available Dog Block. 

Senior Olivia Pumphrey had a bit of a different point of view on Dog Block. 

“I enjoy [Dog Block] if you get to pick what you like to do. Sometimes they force you into an assembly or something, but I like when you can pick like board games, puzzles, or anything,” Pumphrey said. 

Pumphrey said her favorite Dog Block is board games. She signs up with a group of her friends and they play together.

She agrees with Mackenzie that upperclassmen getting priority is fair.

“When you’re a senior, you’re going to want to have your first pick,” Pumphrey said.

Pumphrey agrees that the method of selecting Dog Block is worse than the old methods. 

Pumphrey said, “[The current method] is odd. The app is weird and it doesn't work a lot of the times.”

French teacher Mrs. Julie Dore runs a walking club during Dog Block, which takes students out on the Rail Trail to walk during the block. 

“I like to walk and get fresh air and exercise, and along the way I really have enjoyed getting to know students who want to do that too … it’s been very enjoyable because I get to see students that I don’t have in class, that I might not meet and interact with,” Mrs. Dore said.

Mrs. Dore believes that students enjoy Dog Block as long as they are able to find an activity they like. However, she has seen students not sign up for anything and get stuck in an activity they don’t want or a study.

Mrs. Dore said, “I think if we want kids to go about it the right way and sign up, then maybe first-come first-serve, and then maybe there'd be more of a push to get signed up fast, not faster, but to make sure you logged in and signed up.”

She advises freshmen going into their first Dog Block to look at all the activities offered before deciding what they want to sign up for. She also suggests having a friend sign up with you.

The first Dog Block will happen next week on Thursday, October 10. Students are able to choose their activity now by logging into their email.