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Scheduling mishaps m ay be avoidable
, N icholas A rntz ____________
Copy Editor
On the first day of
school, regardless of how
you feel about being back,
it is somewhat exciting to
discover what classes you
have and count the number
of friends in each class that
will make the year easier.
Maybe you already knew
what classes you would
have, because you checked
your student e-mail at
the end of last year. Then
again, maybe you didn't,
and all of this is new to
you.
But what's this? "I
didn't sign up for this,"
and "they didn't even
give me a math class,"
students, this is no walk
in the park. The computer
decides all of our fates, at
least for the next school
year, by taking all of our
requests, and trying to
create schedules that are
best for the majority of the
students.
We assume that we
will automatically receive
the classes we requested,
however, classes change
every year, depending on
how many students wish
to take certain classes.
As students, we actually
decide what classes are
scheduled for the next year.
The new C.O.R.E. class
came from student voices,
as did the extra Fiber
and course descriptions
online throughout the
year, a great tool to take
advantage of because you
can decide what classes
you might want to consider
well before forecasting
begins. Most importantly,
pay attention to your
counselors, especially when
they come to talk in your
classes and during the
assemblies. You can also
schedule pre-forecasting
appointments to make sure
you have all of your credit
requirements.
We are very fortunate to
be able to experience this
semi-college atmosphere.
Most schools don't even
allow their students to
"It’s not as
restricted. I like
the fact that you
can eat outside
for lunch."
Anna Stapleton
"You have a lot of
passing time. I think
the classes are more
fun and interesting.
There is more
variety. You get to
meet more people."
— Jake McLoughlin
?nt Bailey, sophomore, and Kathy Logan, administrative assistant, revise his schedule, post mini-arena.
Schedule changes have occurred after mini arena, but for the most part, all changes were corrected and
finalized during the first two weeks of school.
Photo by Malia Chong
can be heard. The sounds
of disappointment and
frustration, growing louder
and louder with each
bus-load of students, can
only mean one thing...
Mini Arena. These two
words cause teachers and
students alike to cringe
from the horror of the
nightmare that is "schedule
changing."
From the student's
perspective, we believe
that our schedules should
already be flawless. We
should have every class
we want, with our first
choice classes filling up our
day, and for many of us,
early release or late arrival.
However, after receiving
my schedule, I was left
to wonder, "what is Fiber
Arts, and what happened
to my early release?" I then
realized that I had my work
cut out for me, with all but
two of my classes needing
to be changed. We are
frustrated, with our brains
racing, wondering, "will I
get the classes I scheduled
for, or will they already be
full? Then what?"
As students, we don't
fully realize what a big
deal forecasting really
is. Forecasting is an eight
imQnth process, involving
^j^rybody associated with
the school. With 1,550
Arts periods. Therefore,
teachers are moved around
to accommodate the needs
of the students.
So, what can we do
to make the forecasting
and scheduling process
easier? First, don't assume
anything. Classes are not
necessarily going to be
during the same period
as before. And, don't
assume that just because
you didn't sign up for a
class, you won't like it. But
also make sure you like the
classes and electives you
schedule for (even your
second and third choices),
because you might get
them! Additionally,
you can check out class
choose their own classes,
let alone decide what
classes will be offered.
Schedule changes are
usually fixed within the
first two weeks of school,
while in other schools,
students are still trying to
complete their scheduling
well into the first semester.
"We have the best kids
in the entire world, and
we want them to have fun
and enjoy their classes.
The students come first,"
Kim Carlson, Assistant
Principal, said. I truly
believe that the staff tries
really hard to help us grow,
and make high school a
great experience for each
and every one of us.
What have you
liked most about
high school so far?
"I like how there
are a lot more
opportunities.
You can do clubs
and sports. There
is something for
everyone."
Program needs fine tuning
Uni Q
ret»__________________a
continued from page 2
I remember not knowing
how to sign up for a
counseling appointment and
being completely terrified of
the block schedule.
It seems as if Link „
Crew merely needs to be
tweaked and fine-tuned
to provide more useful
activities. I know the desire
to help is there. A number
of surrounding high schools
have a preliminary day of
school devoted to freshmen.
That way, the freshmen can
easily find their classes and
navigate the halls without
the pressure of 1,000 other
students.
Link Crew is meant
to make the incoming
freshmen feel welcomed,
not demoralized and even
more frightened. It is a great
idea and the people who
administrate it have their
hearts in the right places.
The curriculum merely
has to be adjusted for the
audience. With revisions,
this great idea could realize
its full potential.
Meeting new
people. You get a
fresh start. If people
don’t know you, then
you can make new
friends.”
Julie Olson