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The principal chose a new daily schedule for the fall that is intended to maintain a modular plan but will require certain A-code classes to change to B/C.
After reviewing four proposals to add instructional minutes to the school’s daily schedule for next year, Principal Andrew Ishibashi chose the one most similar to the school’s current mod schedule. After meeting with union representatives and department heads on March 24, Ishibashi chose Proposal B, the modified modular schedule presented to the faculty on March 11.
Ishibashi explained that he decided it was better to tweak the current schedule rather than adopt a completely different one. “Our current mod schedule is broken because it doesn’t have enough instructional minutes,” he said. “When something is broken, you don’t just throw it away. You try to fix it.”
Although the number of additional B/C code classes is still being determined, the principal said in March that all elective P.E. classes as well as all core classes, (English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science) may be B/C code next semester.
People pointed out the pros and cons of the change. “On the plus side, many of our classes were already B/C,” math department head Tom Chambers stated in an email. “The extra class time provides extra study time in class, which could lead to more questions being asked and resolved in class. On the negative side, teachers will have less time outside of class to provide individualized assistance. Outside assistance during swing mods is a Lowell tradition which is going to be lessened.”
According to science department head Dacotah Swett, the new schedule will not require dramatic adjustments for the science department, since all science classes are currently B/C code. “This is perhaps a compromise, and it is not a huge change,” she said. “All of us are going to figure it out and make this school a better place.”
Students’ reactions to an increase in B/C code classes were mixed. Some students favor more time in the classroom. “I don’t think it is a bad idea because it would increase learning time,” freshman Mejdi Mogannam said. "But it might be an inconvenience to those who use A-code classes to do stuff like homework."
Others are frustrated by a decrease in free time due to an increase in the number of longer classes. “I really don’t like this change,” sophomore Deedee Pearce said. “Free mods are essential for me to complete my homework. I feel like this new schedule will lead to increased stress and sleeplessness.”
Ishibashi has made additional changes to the selected schedule proposal. The new schedule will contain 61-minute B/C code classes and eight-minute passing periods.
The time between A-code classes, including passing periods, will be reduced from 30 minutes to 20. In the new schedule, the school day will be slightly lengthened. Mod 1 will begin at 7:30 a.m. and mod 20 will end at 3:48 p.m. On neutral Fridays, all classes will be 52 minutes, and the school day will end at 3:40.
Although some members of the Lowell community will miss the current schedule, some say the transition is acceptable.
“I prefer the old schedule, but the new one is fine with me,” social studies teacher Jeff Reynolds said. “That’s life. After a couple of months, we won’t even notice it’s different.”
Others are thankful that the modified modular schedule was adopted. “If we have to change, that’s what we have to do,” freshman Charlene Fernandez said. “Principal Ishibashi made the right decision by keeping the mods. Mods give me time to study before class and get lunch.”
For Ishibashi, a new schedule is important for the state’s yearly schedule audits. “I’ll be much more comfortable with the audit knowing we are in compliance,” he said.
According to Ishibashi, because the department heads needed to draft a master schedule, an outline of all class, teacher and room assignments, there was not enough time for him to elicit input from students. However, according to Ishibashi, he did discuss his decision with over 100 students. “I know students will support my decision,” Ishibashi said.
Ishibashi said that he plans to evaluate the success of the new schedule at the end of next year. “We will see how everybody likes it and then make necessary adjustments,” he said. “If the schedule doesn’t work out next year, we can look at the other options.” |
