During the first weeks of school, students may recall the assembly each grade had during Life class last year. The assembly went over school rules and mentioned some of the new policies. Many were frustrated when the new 90% attendance rule was brought to their attention, which overshadowed one of the other big changes: the removal of half days. 

In previous years, half days would occur around the first Wednesday of every month and let students out two hours early, with some exceptions. Brooke Cates, Court Sports teacher, used to attend staff meetings after class was over on early release days.

“Half days were used for teachers to collaborate with other teachers on bettering the curriculum, getting a better understanding of what we as teachers are teaching to students,” Cates said. 

Early release days are now replaced by a staff development day, giving students a full day off every two months rather than a half day once a month. However, as a teacher, Cates sees the benefit in a full work day for teachers.

“These Fridays will grant teachers an entire work day to come collaborate, other than just a couple of hours. I think it’s cool because now families can have extra time for mini vacations,” Cates said.

While staff members like Cates sound optimistic, students such as Justin Holcomb, sophomore, aren’t as thrilled about the changes.

“Those [early release] Wednesdays helped with my mental health because they allowed me to get out and enjoy things besides school,” Holcomb said. “But now, with it every other month, I lose that time to better myself.” 

This feeling isn’t just from Holcomb. George Mroczek, sophomore, had a similar response to the news.

“I don’t like that we have to stay in school longer [because] I feel like now our school year will be longer as well,” Mroczek said. 

So, is it really worth having a day off as opposed to having shorter ones? With the days off, won’t our school year extend, making our last day further than it already is? 

Overall, this change has mixed feelings from both staff and students. Time will tell if this change will benefit students and teachers. Will it be helpful for the staff by providing more collaboration time for them? That is something that teachers will decide once we have more of these days. Will it also give students fewer days off? From what it looks like, we got out earlier than last year so, currently, no. Lastly, will it just be more of a headache for teachers and extend the year longer for everyone? Again, we’ll need to wait and see.