Extended Time Schedule Set For 2002 At NHS

By Tanjua Damon

The 2002 school year at Newtown High School will have a different feel to it as students and teachers embark on an extended time schedule at the school.

Newtown High School Principal William Manfredonia explained that the schedule will be a four-day rotation wherein students will have six periods a day with alternating periods of 47 minutes and 70 minutes.

“There is greater flexibility of students being able to take the courses they want,” Mr Manfredonia said. “If they wish to take an extra course they can.”

The extended time schedule provides a lunch for every student. Some students with the current schedule have not been taking a lunch in order to take all the classes they feel they need. With the extended time schedule, the blocked out lunchtime acts as a ninth period, according to Mr Manfredonia. There will be four lunch “waves” beginning in 2002.

The extended time schedule will also provide more time to teachers once a week to have a longer class period to get more in depth with particular areas of curriculum or do various projects with their students.

“All teachers have the opportunity where they will have a 70 minute class period,” Mr Manfredonia said. “They can prepare an activity that requires extended time.”

There are students and teachers who have reservations about the extended time schedule change. Some concerns include missing a class for a day, especially in foreign language and math, where repetition is important for learning the skills. The effects the new schedule will have on students who are in the lower percentiles or are in special education have been questioned. Will students be able to stay focused during a longer class period?

“I think this is definitely an action in the right direction,” Mr Manfredonia said.

Throughout the upcoming school year, the faculty and staff will prepare for the change. There will be training sessions and opportunity for teachers to make sure teachers will be able to use the time effectively.