The administration at Hays High School recently decided to change the schedule for next school year. This new schedule raises some concerns, not only for students, but also staff members.

The new schedule is as follows:

Mondays:

M1 – 8:05 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

G1 – 8:50 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

M2 – 9:35 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

G2 – 10:20 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Extended Advisory (formerly PRIDE Time) – 11:05 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Lunch 1 – 11:05 a.m. – 11:26 a.m.

Lunch 2 – 11:29 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

Lunch 3 – 11:53 a.m. – 12:14 p.m.

M3 – 12:20 p.m. – 1 p.m.

G3 – 1:05 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

M4 – 1:50 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

G4 – 2:35 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Maroon & Gold Schedule on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays:

M1/G1 – 8:05 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.

M2/G2 – 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

M3/M3 – 11:20 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Lunch 1 – 11:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

Lunch 2 – 12:05 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lunch 3 – 12:45 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

Advisory – 1:20 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.

M4/G4 – 1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

In addition to the schedule changes, Mindset Monday is tentatively going to be called “Move It Monday,” and GPS is now going to be call “Success Seminar” for each grade, such as “Sophomore Success Seminar.”

As students learn about these changes, some have raised concerns. One concern is that students will not be allowed to pass on Tuesday through Friday during the 20-minute advisory period. That means that the only day students will be allowed to pass is Monday, but students will no longer be allowed to make their own passes; faculty or staff members will have to request a student to pass.

That raises concerns for club meetings. Is it really expected that all 39 clubs will meet on Mondays? Also, if the club sponsors have to make passes for each student in the club, it brings up other issues, too. First, it will be time consuming for the sponsors, and if a student is in multiple clubs, like most students are, they will have to pick which to attend. The administration always pushes students to get involved in clubs, but now, students would have to pick and choose which club meetings to join.

Then, in the scenario where a student has to see any of their teachers to do make-up work, plus has club meetings, the student is put in a tough spot. What if one of the club meetings is mandatory to remain active, but what if they will fail an assignment or miss vital information if they do not see their teachers? What are students expected to do?

Then, when critically thinking about the 20-minute Advisory period on Tuesday through Friday, it seems like it does not have a purpose. Most students are probably not going to be that productive during that 20 minutes. Many studies have shown that it takes around 20 minutes just for the brain to focus in well on a new task. Why get out all their homework and try to get started when there is only 20 minutes?

And, if students are also not allowed to use their phones during this time, they are either going to just talk, be loud and cause issues, or play games or sit there blankly staring at the wall for 20 minutes. Plus, some students who do not have an “important” fourth block may just leave after lunch or after third hour, skipping Advisory entirely because it is such a short time where students can’t pass or fully focus on homework.

This new schedule is very concerning, but also subduedly harmful towards students’ academic progress, extracurricular involvement and mental health. Students, along with their parents, should be concerned about this change.

27aarias@usd489.com