As the SAT grows closer, Weir is adjusting its schedule to better prepare students and provide additional time during the school day.
This new flex period has been added to the schedule once a week for an hour. It alternates through English and math bi-weekly. The new period is designed to give students a dedicated time during the school day to focus on missing assignments, academic support, or other school related activities like clubs and sports. This has also been an opportunity for Weir to try out new programs like Progress Learning and CIPA which are being used during most flex periods.
One of the main purposes of the new flex period is emphasizing on the SAT while not interrupting class time. As it has evolved from an EOP period from last year, to now a flex period, was designed in hopes of giving students more time to practice for the SAT, and other school related activities. When Principal Hill was asked, he stated that the “Benchmark scores have gone up from test 1 and test 2. Weir did get a later start on the flex period this year, but we are hoping for an earlier start next year.”
While the new flex period has improved scores, many teachers and students have criticisms of it. Junior student Adrienne Clausell states, “I think it would be better, and more useful if the teachers actually got to go through the test with us.”
Teachers and students are both expressing concerns about how the flex period may be an unproductive use of time and another stressor being added to the already busy school day. Teacher Mrs. Olenick states that, “Its only benefiting the students taking the SAT while other students in the school are doing nothing for an hour.”
On the other hand, some participants in a survey enjoy the flex day and find it a useful addition to the school week. By combining SAT prep, more time for clubs, activities, and time for one-on-one help, Weir is using this time to try and meet a variety of students’ needs within the regular school schedule.
Finally, the most recent addition to the flex period is CIPA. It is a required task from the state with the goal of staff having a conversation with students about internet safety and etiquette. Principal Blumette states, “As an educator, we always want to do the right thing for our students, but this has become a huge part of our students lives in this generation because they don’t know much apart from a digital world.”
