Beginning in January, many ANHS students have experienced drastic scheduling changes going into the second semester. These changes, which completely alter the course of their school day, are at first glance, unprecedented and unfair.
The main reason for such changes is that several classes have been dissolved due to students dropping their classes. For example, Mrs. Austin’s fifth period Precalculus class was dissolved, leaving counselors with the troubling decision of where to place those students.
Like so many others, these students will be redistributed to other math classes, in some cases removing students that had already been in those class periods.
This is where the problem lies, when students who are already settled and comfortable with their own schedules, and have not dropped any classes, suffer because of the decisions of others, and other factors they cannot control.
For example, students in classes that only last one semester would generally just have a free period in place of that course starting second semester. However, these students’ schedules are being drastically changed, particularly students who should have free fifth and sixth periods.
Aeryn Garrick (12) explains, “When Tennis ended at the end of first semester, I was supposed to just have free fifth and sixth periods, so that my schedule wouldn’t change. Apparently free fifth and sixth periods aren’t allowed, even though I already know students who have them. I was very upset to find out my zero period was eliminated entirely from my schedule, and now the whole thing is messed up. As a senior, I was looking forward to the free time of my original schedule. I’ve talked to my counselor, but I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
According to Guidance, these changes are inevitable because of all the classes being dropped and students being moved around. Especially in cases of students with less than six or seven classes.
Recent California Bill SB328 requires that high schools not open fully until 8:30 a.m. Due to this, only 25 percent of students are allowed to be on campus before that time.
Mrs. Buechler, an ANHS Guidance counselor, details that, “Because of the bill, students must complete, or be on campus for, a certain amount of ‘minutes’ within the regular bell schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. for reasons involving state funding. It is also a requirement that students have at least one class after lunch in their schedule. Exceptions for this are if students have a fifth or sixth as a sport, an after school CCA class, or a Cal Prep class.”
Addressing zero period issues, Mrs. Buechler explained that students with seven or more classes retain priority for zero period courses, next being students with six or more classes, and so on. So unfortunately, students with less classes, free periods and also a zero period would have less priority when changes are made.
While it is reasonable to offer priority to students with more periods, it is not reasonable to remove students that specifically requested zero periods when they planned their schedules, from such classes without any consultation. Students may rely on their zero periods for a multitude of reasons, whether it be after school jobs, taking care of family members, parking in the morning, and more.
It is apparent that schedule changes are a complicated issue, however, it is clear that more communication with students about sudden changes would be more than warranted in the future to prevent conflicts.
In February and March, counselors will be meeting individually with students to discuss next year’s schedules, and Mrs. Buechler implores students to carefully consider the courses they select. Mrs. Buechler invites any student who is having difficulties with their schedule to talk to their counselor, but to be patient. The Guidance office is always open as a resource for students with questions.
