HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: MFL MarMac students, teachers react to schedule change

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your your school. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com

By Samantha Sellers, MFL MarMac freshman

MONONA - Next year MFL MarMac high school students and teachers will switch to an eight-period schedule  and  that means shorter class periods and more classes during the day.

Students and teachers were asked how they feel about the schedule change.

Here is a sampling from the students:

Freshman Cassie Cahoon: “I don't think that the change is a good idea. We aren't getting as many classes in by the time we graduate. The day will seem even longer. I think that the faculty, and the math and English classes, will have the most benefit.”

Freshman Brayde Miller: “I don't like that the classes are being changed. More classes means more homework, and we will have less time to work and ask questions. The students that are in sports will have to be up late doing their homework, and they will then be tired during class and practice.”

Sophomore Alison Thurn: “I'm unsure about the change. I think that it will be nice having shorter classes, but with all of the classes I feel like we will have more homework. We will then have days that we will have to take multiple tests on, making studying much harder, and puts more pressure on us. I think it will be hard for the teachers, as they will have to change all of their study plans.”

Junior Tenisha Eick: “I feel that it is a good idea. We won't have to sit through classes for 85 minutes, and we will be able to pay attention more. The day will seem longer, but the school work will be done better. The change will probably benefit all of the classes except choir, physical education and band.”

Here is a sampling from the faculty:

Spanish teacher Anne Wuebker: “Having a new schedule is very exciting. I feel that the days will seem long at first, but they will start to seem shorter as the year goes on. The required classes such as math, science, English and, of course, the foreign language classes will really benefit.”

Business teacher Joe Dotzler: “The new schedule change is needed for the high school. In this new schedule students will have more to choose from and have better sequence in taking required and elective courses. I believe that at first the days will seem to go quicker due to the constant changing of classes.”

The views are mixed. The survey responses showed most of the student body is not looking forward to the change, but others are either unsure or in favor of it. The faculty has voted yes for the new schedule and already is preparing for the new change.