Mixed Opinions From Residents, Students On Proposed Schedule

Mixed opinions were provided by residents and some students at Thursday’s special Patchogue-Medford Board of Education meeting discussing a proposed 2013-2014 academic schedule that would create earlier school days with longer class times.

As previously reported, the proposal moves up bus arrival 15 minutes earlier for the high school and middle schools and 20 minutes earlier for elementary schools. Current periods of downtime, such as between bus arrival and first period on the high school level, are being reduced in the proposed schedule in order to allot more time in class. A PDF of the proposed schedule posted on the district website can be viewed by clicking here. Also on the district website is a PDF of the full presentation of the proposed schedule given by assistant superintendent of curriculum Lori Cannetti at the meeting, which can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here.

A number of parents and some students were immediately opposed to the earlier bus pickup times, one parent joking that they would have to get a cattle prod to get his daughter out of bed. Similarly, another resident was concerned with having their daughter come home earlier, as it leaves her in limbo if she arrives home 20 minutes earlier than she currently does.

A resident asked if there was any financial benefit to the district changing up the schedule. Cannetti responded that there is no monetary difference, just the academic benefit of afternoon extra help sessions for all students.

Another resident and a student questioned the idea of adding two minutes per period, doubting if that would make any difference.

Chelsea, a rising senior, said during public comment that a shift toward other schools that do four, 80-minute periods a day would be a significant boost in teaching, but questioned adding only two minutes per period by comparing it to how adding two minutes of sleep per day does not have a measurable benefit.

Meagan Bullard, an upcoming senior, felt the opposite saying that every possible minute is valuable, and noted that she believes most students that currently attend extra help do so in the afternoon due to not having a ride to school in the morning.

Michelle, a rising junior, said that she does make use of morning extra help to make up tests or quizzes often, and felt that these sessions are essential.

What are your opinions on the proposed schedule shift? Add your thoughts by typing them into the comments section.

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