Thoughts, Opinions on Whitnall's Zero Hour Schedule

This year, the Whitnall School District has implemented an entirely new schedule, which includes a “zero hour,” a schedule that brings with it both support and criticism.

What is "zero hour?" Well, it’s a time period that takes place in the school every morning before school, from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Students are able to meet with their teachers in the library, work out in the weight room, hold club meetings or simply grab something to eat in the cafeteria.

With the change to "zero hour" came an entirely new schedule that moved the high school's start time back 30 minutes from 7:15 to 7:45. That may not appear to be a very drastic change, but it was an adjustment for parents and the school's bus department. Parents who drove their children to school last year must now change their entire morning schedule just to drop their kid off at school, causing them to arrive at work 45 minutes later than last year. As far as the bus department goes, they had to change their transportation schedules for the district.

“I don’t really like having to wake up so early, but it’s all worth it because I get a good amount of help from my teachers,” Whitnall senior Michael Radavich said.

Not all students are fond of "zero hour" though.

“I think that it’s not the best of ideas, because I felt I didn’t actually accomplish anything effectively well attending 'zero hour,'” senior Nick Cimler said.

Students aren’t the only ones using the new "zero hour" either. Teachers are here every morning either helping their students or hosting meetings. These meetings are being called PLCs (professional learning communities), where the teachers can meet and discuss the curriculum and plan daily lessons.

Ms. Townsend, Whitnall High School teacher said, “It’s nice to have a locked in time to meet and be able to collaborate with other teachers.”

All in all, the students, parents and staff could go either way with their opinions on the new "zero hour."