The Criterion Hamilton High West School Newspaper

This year at Hamilton West High School, the daily schedule has been changed to something called “block scheduling”. Block scheduling takes the usual 9-period day, and changes it into a 6-period day. In order for this to work periods are now 80 minutes long rather than 40 minutes. This new schedule has shocked some students and staff but after being in school for almost a whole month, the school has definitely gotten more used to the change. One of the newest additions with block scheduling is a study hall/activities period. Now during periods 3 and 4, grades switch between study hall and lunch. This has caused issues within the school itself. Both students and staff have heard principal Brian Smith talk on the loudspeaker multiple times about students roaming the halls during these periods. Although roaming the halls was always an issue it seems as if it’s increased because of these new additions. “I feel like adding study hall and changing the schedule is a positive change,” said sophomore Zoe Vanselous. “It helps students prepare for college life and schedule. The way study hall gives you a chance to be independent on your own and figure out your own time management is pretty similar to life in college.” For block scheduling, there can be positives and negatives to it but it just depends on how you look at it. Vanselous sees the study hall as a helpful addition that will help students in the long run, while some higher positions see it as a poor addition because of how much more trouble it causes. A new change always comes with its pros and cons, depending on what position you have in the situation. At first, this switch had a rocky start and students were unsure of how they would adapt to it. Now, after a full marking period, students have realized its positives and figured out how to still be successful in school. In the end, block scheduling at Hamilton West High School started off with a rocky start for almost the entire school, but now after taking the time to get used to it, the school has benefited from it tremendously.

Students and teachers at Hamilton High School are adapting to a major change this school year as the district rolls out a new block scheduling system designed to improve learning and reduce student stress. Starting in September, the traditional seven-period day was replaced with four 85-minute classes that alternate between “A” and “B” days. The change means students attend fewer classes each day but spend more time in each subject, allowing for longer lessons, labs, and group work. Principal Smith said the new schedule is part of a district-wide effort to give students more time for hands-on learning. “Block scheduling gives teachers flexibility to plan deeper, more engaging lessons,” Smith said. “It also helps students focus on fewer subjects each day, which we hope will improve both academic performance and mental health.” Many students say the transition has been smoother than expected, but it’s taken time to get used to the longer classes. “I like having fewer classes and less homework on the same night,” said sophomore Caylee Muni . “But sitting in one room for almost an hour and a half can be tough sometimes, especially in the afternoon.” Teachers have also been adjusting their lessons to fit the new format. English teacher Mr.mayo said he's using the extra time to explore projects and discussions that weren’t possible before. “Before, classes felt rushed,” Mayo said. “Now I can have students read, discuss, and write in the same period. It’s made the class flow much better.” Still, not everyone is convinced. Some students say it’s harder to stay focused for the entire block, and a few worry about remembering material when classes only meet every other day. School administrators say they expected mixed reactions at first but remain confident the benefits will show over time. The district plans to review grades, attendance, and student feedback at the end of the year before deciding whether to make the schedule permanent. “Our goal isn’t just to change the timing,” O’Donnell said. “It’s to change the way students experience learning at Hamilton High.”

The students at Hamilton High School West are adjusting to the new bell schedule which shortens lunch and study hall as part of an initiative to make the school day more efficient and to maximize instructional time during the school day. The school reduced lunch and study from 45 minutes each to only 30 minutes. This change is intended to create longer class periods. “I like the shorter days because I get more time in class to finish work, so I never have homework,” said student Chris Blidi. This may have been the goal for staffs when they made the changes, but not all students share the same enthusiasm. Student Obama Blidi said “I don't like the longer classes because my adhd. I get very Fidgety staying in the same spot for a while. I like being able to move around a switch every 30 to 40 minutes.” Some teachers even complain about the chaos that happens in the halls during these periods. There is now two different grade levels sharing lunch periods rather then just one lunch period for each grade. Teachers are also adapting, some even get confused when they have a certain class again because of the day 1 and day 2 situation is every other day. Miss Delaney English teacher said “I think the biggest obstacle that were running into right now is if a student is absent, trying to get caught up and making sure ur their missing things.” Chris Blidi also said “Compared to my old school, I like this schedule better, the schools days be going by so fast but the shortness of lunch doesn't really effect me, I feel like its enough time personally.” There is some benefits like being able to give students more time to work and during class.

Students at Hamilton High West are sharing their frustrations about the school’s new digital hall pass system, SmartPass, which was introduced at the start of the school year to track student movement during class time. The app, which requires teachers to approve passes on their computers or phones, was meant to make the halls safer and more organized. But many students say it makes simple things, like using the restroom, take too long. “It’s supposed to make things easier, but it just slows everything down,” said Bella Aldea, a junior at Hamilton High West. “Sometimes I have to wait five minutes just for a teacher to approve my pass. By then, the bell is almost ringing.” Students also complain that the app tracks how long they’re out of class and even limits how many students can be in the hall at once. “It feels like we’re being watched,” Aldea said. “I get that it’s for safety, but it feels a little controlling.” Teachers say they understand both sides. Mr. Costello, a History teacher, said the app helps keep the hallways clear but admits it can be “a hassle during busy periods.” School administrators say SmartPass has reduced hallway traffic and tardiness, but many students are still asking for changes. “I wish they’d just trust us a little more,” Aldea said. “We’ve been fine without an app for years.” Despite the complaints, Hamilton High West plans to keep using SmartPass for the rest of the year, though the administration says they’re open to student feedback on how to improve it.

Aileen GomezEsteban says...

There are various opinions regarding block scheduling; some people love it better than the old schedule, while others detest this new change that came along with the new school year. I personally like block scheduling. I feel like the school day goes by much faster and that the workload is a lot less. Before, with the schedule we had last year, we would have eight classes in one day. Sometimes I would have to do homework for eight different classes each day. It was a lot more stressful than this year, since now I have two nights to do homework for four classes. Block scheduling is a lot better than the traditional schedule for various reasons. First of all, there is a lot more time during the block to do more activities and in-depth learning. Before, when he had 40-minute class periods, we couldn’t get into long activities and would have to split them up over a few days. Now, with an 80-minute block, an activity can get done that day, and there are no interruptions, which helps with learning and concentration. It also gives teachers a lot more time to teach and explain things more in depth for students who might have trouble understanding something. Some studies show a correlation between block scheduling and higher graduation rates and increased enrollment in advanced placement classes. This is because there is more time to learn, and there are not as many classes that they need to focus on each day. It can be less overwhelming and can give students a more relaxing school environment. I think block scheduling will definitely help and benefit students in the years to come.

Naomi Solano says.....

At first, I wasn't too thrilled about block scheduling. I was scared of the long classes, the work I had to do, especially because it's my Junior Year. The schedule before made the school day feel rushed through the nine 40-minute classes. Now that there is a change, it's harder to adapt. This schedule, which has longer classes but meets fewer times, makes it better for the students so that they don't feel as stressed in our school as before. The main good thing about block scheduling is that we learn deeply, not just quickly. The schedule from last year made the teachers hurry through lessons. This leaves no time for fun, hands-on learning. Block scheduling makes classes longer, about 80 minutes. This is important because it gives us time for full science labs, good talks in class, or finishing our projects in one sitting. It is quite simple, longer blocks mean fewer stops, which helps us focus better and understand more. This schedule also helps students feel less stressed every day. Instead of juggling homework for nine classes, students only focus on three or four subjects daily. This makes our brains definitely feel less full and lets us spend a good time on just a few homework assignments each night. Also, we get an extra day to do homework, so that really helps, especially when you have work or school activities most days. Plus, teachers get useful time to plan together and give us better feedback. We all want to learn the most we can and not feel burned out all the time. Block scheduling does both by focusing on quality learning, not just seeing many classes every day. For our success in school and for our well-being, this schedule has been pretty good!

Johan Sanchez Says...

I disagree with the block scheduling because, as a junior, I have some serious concerns about this new block schedule. This year is going to be hard, and people say it's pretty important for college applications, and these extended class periods are making it difficult to focus and keep up my grades. People get sleepy all the time. Actually, it feels like we're being set up for failure, and you can ask everyone else; they do think the same way about how it’s pretty pointless, and we should just go back to how it was. The shorter lunch break is also an issue with the new schedule. We barely have enough time to eat, let alone prepare for the rest of the day. This is going to be a weird year, and we need to have time to actually rest from all the work and just enjoy our free time. The alternating day schedule also adds unnecessary confusion to an already stressed-out year. Keeping track of which classes meet on which days is a student's nightmare, trust me, and it distracts from our main goals, which are to actually focus and maintain our grades. The homework now is basically impossible to complete when you are busy with other things. We're literally drawing in assignments, and it's challenging to keep up with the overload of work while also having sports and college prep. This is the year we need to work as hard as we can so we can chill for senior year, but the excessive workload is messing up our progress. Missing a single class now counts as your downfall since you now have to make up a ton of work, but you are too busy focusing on your day 2 now. It's stressful now, missing an entire day, which can knock our grades and overall understanding of every piece of work. Kids now feel a ton of pressure to make sure they don’t miss one single piece of work. Overall, this block schedule is adding unnecessary stress to an already stricter year. I believe that going back to the previous schedule would allow us to focus on what truly matters, which is having fun, actually focusing on school, and teachers doing small events like last year, where they would cook food during winter, which actually made going to school fun, and how focusing was so much better last year, and i would actually understand, but now they zoom past everything and its miserable i kind of miss it now since i didnt really appreciate it at the time but its not that deep in the end.

This school year, our schedule changed completely. Last year we had nine periods in total, including lunch. Now we only have six, and that number includes lunch and study hall. That means we actually have only four real academic classes a day- and the last two periods feel endless. Personally, I don't think this new schedule is a good idea. When we had more classes, the day felt more balanced and active. We got to see more teachers, cover more subjects, and stay mentally alert. Now spending almost an hour and a half in the same class makes it harder to stay focused. Even the most interesting subjects start to feel boring after a while. Another problem is that with fewer periods, we have less variety. If you struggle with a certain subject or just don’t enjoy it, being stuck there for so long can feel exhausting. We also lost opportunities for electives and shorter classes that used to make the day more enjoyable and productive. I understand that the goal of the new schedule was probably to reduce stress and give students more time to learn deeply. But from my experience, it has done the opposite. The long classes are tiring, and the days feel slower. I believe shorter periods and a wider range of classes actually help us learn more and stay motivated. Hopefully, the school will reconsider this change and bring back a schedule that keeps us both focused and engaged. Personally, I think most students feel the same way. We learn best when classes move at a good pace and when the day has variety. Long periods might sound productive, but in reality, they make us lose interest faster. Bringing back the old schedule, or at least something similar, would help everyone stay more focused, less tired, and more excited to come to school each day.

Every morning, students rush into class half-awake, yawning, and struggling to focus. As a high school student, I believe our school should start later in the morning. Research and real-life experience both show that later start times would improve students’ health, performance, and overall well-being. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, teenagers need about 8–10 hours of sleep each night, but most of us get far less because of early start times. Our biological clocks make it difficult to fall asleep before 11 p.m., which means waking up at 6 a.m. leaves us exhausted. Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that schools starting after 8:30 a.m. report better attendance, higher test scores, and fewer cases of depression among students. Lack of sleep doesn’t just make us tired—it affects everything from memory to mood. How are we supposed to perform our best on tests or in sports when we can barely stay awake? Later start times would give us a real chance to rest, recharge, and show up ready to learn. Some argue that later starts would interfere with sports or after-school jobs, but many districts that changed their schedules found simple ways to adjust. If other schools can do it successfully, so can we. Starting school later isn’t about being lazy—it’s about being healthy and smart. I strongly believe our school should move toward a later start time. Our education system should support students’ well-being, not work against it.

Allison Marino says....

If you are an underclassmen without a license, your only option during lunch is to go to the cafeteria. However once you do get your license that changes. The periods are long enough to give students the chance to leave the school and go out to grab some food and if you’re lucky enough to have restaurants close to your school then your options are even bigger. I believe that students should be allowed to leave school for lunch, as long as they get back to school in time. I think this because it helps students get a little break from the school environment and get a change of scenery. Also if a student is old enough to be driving, they should be responsible enough to keep track of their time and make sure they come back to school without missing any classes. Teens in high school are at the age where development is super important and some psychologists, such as Erik Erikson, call it the “identity vs. role confusion” age. This means teens are still stuck figuring out who they are and how to be independent. Allowing them to leave school, find a place to eat lunch and be back in time for school gives them the chance to learn new skills. Although this could also lead to mistakes and accidents, the only way teens will learn is from their mistakes. In conclusion, high school students should be allowed to leave their school for lunchtime as it will give them a chance to reset their minds, learn responsibility and time management and help them develop real-world skills.

Riley Collins says..

I believe seniors should be allowed to leave the school building during lunch as a privilege that can be taken away if students do not follow the rules. This would give seniors more freedom to decide how they spend their break while still holding them responsible for their actions. With the new block schedule, many seniors have to eat in the cafeteria, gym, or just wander the halls when they have their own cars and could be relaxing there. Seniors are old enough to make responsible choices. Allowing them to leave campus would give them the chance to get food from nearby restaurants or just sit in their cars if they want some quiet time. Sometimes the cafeteria lines are long or the food options are limited. Having the option to leave campus would be a great way for seniors to relax and enjoy their lunch break on their own terms. This privilege should come with clear expectations. If a student skips class, returns late, or behaves irresponsibly, the school should take away their off-campus lunch until they prove they can follow the rules. This way, students learn that freedom comes with responsibility, and they must earn the trust given to them. Allowing seniors to leave campus during lunch also helps prepare them for life after high school. Once they graduate, no one will be monitoring their every move or setting strict schedules. Letting them have some independence now is a good way to teach time management, accountability, and respect for rules, all skills that will be essential in college or the workforce. Giving seniors the option to leave campus during lunch is a fair and practical way to reward good behavior. It would allow them to take a meaningful break, enjoy better food options, and learn important life skills. This change would make their final year more enjoyable and help prepare them for the future.

David Sanchez says....

If you're much like me, and find yourself walking into the cafeteria at Hamilton High West in hope of looking for a bite of food to get yourself through the rest of the day, but instead walking out, you are not alone. Although there is some sort of variety of food including pizza, hamburgers, chicken patties, and salads, in the end the food is not worth eating. Once given a good look, the meal always appears unappealing, which is enough for students to skip lunch. Students not getting enough or the right amount of food and nutrition is a major concern. Many students including myself who skip out on lunch, decide to go buy junk food from the vending machines which have no nutritional value at all. Students are expected to perform academically well in our school, without being provided with the right food to power ourselves to get through the day. Many studies have shown that students with a well balanced diet are much more likely to be more energized. A Change that would improve the schools food wouldn't necessarily mean a total makeover, but definitely improvements. Better presentation of food would encourage students to eat, and better and more fresh ingredients would make the food taste better, making students want to come back for more the next day. A student advisory group can be set up to make sure students are satisfied with the food being given to them, and any feedback for improvement can be said. Overall better meals at West would not only improve the overall quality of food, but also the morale of students, and with happier students they are more likely to perform better academically. Asking the school to fix its quality shouldn't be something extra or an incentive in our school, it should already be provided as it very well affects the health and wellbeing of the students.