New Change At Whitnall High: Start Times
As a member of the Whitnall High School Class of 2012, I often hear the phrases "everything good happens after we leave" or "we're the last to get everything." Whether its seniors that can not experience the new sports fields Whitnall High is creating, or that our class is that last one to receive WKCE testing, it seems as though students have something to disagree with. However, there is one change that Whitnall High is undergoing that not many people are happy about, and as for my class of 2012, some say they are not sad they are missing it. This change is the start times for Whitnall next year.
As stated on the Whitnall High School website, the starting time will be 30 minutes later than it is now (7:45) and a one hour late start every second and forth Wednesday of the month. The middle school will have the same change; however, the elementary schools will have the same start time all year. The second and fourth Wednesday of the month, they will have an early release. The sole purpose of having these changes is to improve academic achievement at Whitnall High School along with being "up to par" with other schools such as Nathan Hale and Greenfield, who have late starts as well.
Studies are shown that late starts do better the ability of the student academically. Also, there are studies that disagree with their findings. Personally, I believe that with time, Whitnall High will adapt to this change, and, in fact, improve significantly. However, I am concerned with the adapting process of the families in the district since I know that this change will probably not have a smooth-sailing start. Nevertheless I have high hopes that Whitnall High will not regret this decision and that over time, everyone will be pleased with the collaborative release.
Editor's note: As part of a partnership with Whitnall High School, Greenfield Patch will be posting blogs and announcements written by WHS students through the end of the school year. All blogs and announcements have been approved by the student's teacher
Mariah Kotecki
9:11 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Being a senior and expierencing this time change, it almost make me wonder how i was able to get in to my classroom on time at 7:15 everyday. Of course it wasn't impossible, but the change of times to 7:45 i like, but I'm not very fond of only being able to catch up on missed work,such as homework, tests, labs, etc. during zero hour in the mornings.
Audra Stanislawski
12:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I believe that having a later start time is beneficial to high school students because students in high school often have a different biological clocks, where we tend to go to sleep and wake up later. This gives us an extra half hour compared to last year to sleep. I also think that having zero hour is beneficial to student athletes, who might not normally be able to stay after school to make up a test or stay for help. However, I know some students don't take advantage of zero hour because it is so early and they don't like waking up, but I think to those who care, it is a great choice.