Editorial: Block Scheduling

     As everyone is already aware, Wythe County decided to work like every other district in southwest Virginia and revamp the schedule with a new block schedule. Some advantages for students is that if they have a class they don’t like, and it may be only for one semester. Other pros involve more credit opportunities toward a diploma, and new, previously extracurricular, class offerings.

     For every advantage, there is a disadvantage. One major flaw of the new schedule is that some classes feel comparatively slow (2nd and 4th) due to the length. Another major disadvantage is the short lunch. Before, there were two lunch periods, but now, all high school students are in one brief lunch period. Since some students choose to skip lunch, there’s a new activity period they can go to instead of lunch. Despite that effort, kids are still crowded in the cafeteria each day.
     Another complaint some have is that school is starting a bit earlier, especially for those who have to ride a bus to school and end up late due to starting class earlier. Another disadvantage of that is having the buses pick up middle and high school kids first, rather than getting elementary first.  The new bus schedule caused a some controversy locally.  

     Overall, the block schedule has many ups and downs to it.

-Catherine C. Cober