Springfield High School to introduce new schedule

As the school year comes to a close, Springfield High School (SHS) administrators are looking ahead and preparing for the fall semester.

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17-04-19 / Front Page Springfield High School to introduce new schedule By ERICKA SCHOFF SPRINGFIELD — As the school year comes to a close, Springfield High School (SHS) administrators are looking ahead and preparing for the fall semester. Currently, SHS students follow a four block schedule that includes an advisory period in between first and second block. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students are given the opportunity to use their advisory period to get extra help from teachers, better known as FLEX days. While Tuesday and Thursday FLEX days are popular among the student body, to some it is inaccessible. SHS students who take classes at the River Valley Technical Center have an overlapping schedule, and aren’t able to receive extra help from teachers during the school day. SHS counselor Jason Touchette wants all students to have the opportunity to use FLEX time. “We really wanted to make flex available for all students and we miss a good amount due to Level 1 RVTC classes, which currently run through FLEX. Not all students are able to stay after for help nights, so FLEX becomes their only option for extra help or meetings with teachers,” he said. “I feel as though we can provide a better experience here at SHS by tweaking the schedule a bit to address a few needs.” Touchette isn’t the only one who thinks the schedule needs tweaking. SHS junior Gillian Guy is a member of the Student Governance Board, who brought up the scheduling issue. Guy also feels that the FLEX scheduling is an issue and doesn’t want to see her peers at a disadvantage. “I think the current schedule is good, but it is a big disadvantage to all of the morning tech kids that do not have the chance to do work during FLEX days,” said Guy. “I think the schedule is lacking a time where students can do their work later in the day.” While FLEX issue has been on the mind of many students and staff, administrators are also hoping to incorporate shorter, elective blocks into the schedule. The counselors have referred to the shortened blocks as “skinnies” and hope that these classes would help students who have trouble sitting through four 80-minute blocks. “I would suggest not to freak out,” said Touchette. “I know that change can be difficult, as well as intimidating. But, we have taken a long time with lots of staff and student input in order to come to this conclusion. Hey, if it doesn't work, we can always change back.” The schedule for the upcoming school year is still under construction, but students can count on FLEX being available to a larger number of students.