Current Events

New Changes Made to Early Release Schedule

Emily Topping
September 23, 2013

Students at West Linn High School are used to the routine of early release days: waking up at the crack of dawn just to come to school for half-hour classes, then returning home by 1:10 and feeling as if they did nothing that day. Only this year, it’s different.

On early-release Wednesdays there will only be periods 3 and 4, for the same length of time as a block day. Also being introduced this year is a new “Academic Time” from 11:35 to 12:30. Academic Time is an hour long study and hang-out session organized by Link Crew, and while it is required for freshmen, older students are also welcome to join if they please.

Travis Fain, junior Link Crew leader, thinks this system is much more effective than last year’s. “Now people can actually use early release days to get ahead and do some work. Also, it gives a chance for Link Crew to get closer to our kids, since we used to not see them as often!” he said.

“It was the staff that asked us to change the schedule,” principal Lou Bailey said, “We just decided it wasn’t a good fit anymore. It was actually Brian Delfatti who came up with the new system, so thanks to him!”

On a week with an early release day, Tuesday will be an A day, Wednesday will have an early release schedule, while Thursday and Friday are 1-6 days. This system ensures that each teacher receives the same amount of time with each of their classes. Administrators hope this change will make students focus and take short days as seriously as regular days. West Linn’s next early release day is on Wednesday, September 25^th; a full schedule of the year’s early release days can be found below.

Early release

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About the Contributor

Emily Topping, Co-editor-in-chief

Ever since Emily Topping, senior, was young she hoped to make a difference on american culture. With her unique outlook on life, strong work ethic and dedication to journalism, she is sure to achieve her goal. Unlike most students on the staff, Topping started out writing for the Amplifier after being recommended by Ann Breyne, her freshman English teacher. Not only did she start out as a reporter on the staff, skipping the mandatory introductory class, but she also earned the title as The People Editor. “After Ann read some of my writing and found out about my wish to become a broadcast journalist, she insisted I join the school newspaper my sophomore year,” Topping said. “I decided to join, thinking it would be a good way to start my future career.” She has grown to love the fast pace of the class and enjoys how she is able to focus her energy on a task she is passionate about. After almost three years on the staff, Topping was announced the co-editor-in-chief for her senior year. Not only does Topping channel her energy into journalistic writing, but also into numerous other activities. These include acting, creative writing and all forms of visual art. She hopes these will help to shape her future. “I began going to acting workshops my sophomore year, and I still attend them every monday after school,” Topping said. These workshops focus on scene studies and creating showcases to perform. “My focus used to be towards acting, but has now changed to film and writing,” Topping said. To pursue her love of writing, Topping has an intention of writing a small piece everyday. She tends to write about her thoughts, opinions or interesting things that happen. Topping also draws, paints and/or takes photos weekly. “My dad used to be super involved with art and kind of pushed me to stick with it,” Topping said, “We’d draw pictures together all the time when I was younger.” She is still taking art classes, but over her high school career wasn’t able to take as many as she would have liked. Topping has changed her focus from acting to broadcast journalism and now towards filming. In an ideal world she hopes to film/create documentaries to combine her love of journalism and film. Whatever Topping ends up pursuing, she is sure to meet her purpose of making an impact on the world around her. “Whether it’s directly or by simply creating something helpful, I hope to make a difference.”