Time management is a big issue for many WS students. With hours of homework, sports practices, and clubs; students are more than thankful for a few extra days off to relax or catch up on work.
Upon first glance at this year’s schedule, FCPS students see that they will have more student holidays than years before to account for elementary school Mondays being full days. This was a school board decision by superintendent Karen Garza, who has been a strong supporter of full-day Mondays.
These half days have been a part of elementary schools in FCPS since 1972, making them a time-honored tradition for many students and their families. After years of debate, it was finally changed thanks to a community-wide survey, conducted by Dr. Garza, which showed that the community supported her decision. This change was then finalized by a task force of administrators, principals, teachers, and finally, put in place by the school board.
Mother and English teacher Angela Linker is relieved at this change because it allows more work to be done.
“In general, elementary school students enjoy school, but these ‘mini-Mondays’ were used by my son for playtime with friends outside of school.” said Linker.
The slight change in hours allows the students more time for recess and PE, as well as foreign language programs. Getting out of the classroom in elementary school allows for a smoother transition to middle and high school, where a lot of time is spent sitting in front of a screen or listening to a teacher.
“It was what everyone was comfortable with, since it had been in place for over forty years.” said Linker. “The change is weird now, but useful in the future; like a band-aid being ripped off.”
In compensation, FCPS has several Mondays for teacher development and collaboration that students have off. Teachers are given an extra day to tackle their work load, helping to relieve some of the pressure placed upon them. On these Mondays, meetings can be more productive and school issues can be worked out. Ryan McElveen, FCPS school board member at large, is optimistic that these days will be used efficiently.
“I realize the stress students are under and believe these days can be used to catch up on school work, do things they enjoy, and spend time with family.” said McElveen.
For students, these days offer time to relax doing things one might not have time to do during a full school week. Senior Nathalie DelRosario is happy for the time to sleep, spend time with friends, and look at college information.
“On these days, teachers get organized while students catch up on sleep, homework, and have time to ourselves.” said DelRosario.
Some students can also use this time to work and make money. One way sophomores spent Monday, September 29th was running kids’ activities at WS to raise money for Class of 2017.
Another schedule-related issue is the school end time, but while WS students complain about starting school in September and ending in late June, it is due to the “Kings Dominion law”. This Virginia law mandates that public schools can only start after Labor Day, which makes teachers cram material into a shorter amount of time before AP, IB, and other testing. To change this, it would be necessary to work with state legislation. Since the FCPS school board has expressed unwillingness to do this, it appears students will be putting up with the tighter schedule for the foreseeable future.
“Over time, we will find better ways to cope with this and find ways to improve student workload.” said McElveen.
The schedule changes this year deal with inclement weather problems and makes the lives of FCPS students and teachers easier.
“Overall, this change will be effective.” said McElveen. “It will permit more adequate instruction of elementary school students, more time for high school students to do things they want to do, and teachers will benefit.”