Westfield has made plans to change their nine-period schedule to a block schedule that will rotate classes that students have across four days. In a Hi’s Eye’s Instagram poll of 342 students, 17 percent of respondents supported the change while 83 percent did not support the change. Let’s take a look into how some students, teachers and administrators feel about this new schedule.

English Teacher David Della Fera

“I am taking a wait-and-see attitude. I’m keeping an open mind. I do like the idea that kids don’t have to see me at the same time every day, five days a week. I think that’s going to benefit them and I do think having an extra 12 minutes per period is going to be very useful for me and for the students.”

Junior Jake Russell

“I don’t like it. I think it isn’t good because you’re going to have a lot of kids come into school at the same time, all going out for lunch at the same time. However, I’m excited for the later start.”

Junior Julia Janaczek

“I really don’t know how the new block schedule will go. I like the nine periods a day because it’s simple and I get to learn each subject each day. I’m not sure why the change of schedule, but hopefully it’s not too hard to manage. Also, because I will already have a bunch of work on my hands, I don’t want my schedule to be too confusing.”

Physical Education Teacher William Wertheimer

“I have mixed opinions, to be honest with you, one as a teacher and one as a parent of four kids at three different schools. The worries right now as a PE teacher are the size of the classes. How are they going to use our size and space? It’s going to be good having the students for all that time. There’s no break, so we can keep on going and get through basic skills and into games quicker.”

Sophomore Caitlyn Kylish

“I like it. I think it will give teachers more time to teach students about the material, and students will have more time to ask their teachers questions and understand what they’re learning better.”

Freshman Bridget Garrett

“I do not like the new schedule. Personally, I cannot sit for the 55-minute classes, and even with the pushed back start time, it still pushes the end time of school back. I’m excited for less periods in one day. Though, the biggest challenge I see in the future is forgetting what classes I have that day and remembering when my homework is due the next time I have that class.”

Sophomore Payton Monusky

“The new block schedule doesn’t fit the students’ needs and doesn’t fix the issue of having more time in class. They also should have given us more information and considered our opinions.”

Sophomore Matthew Fisher

“It’s going to be bad because [although] you spend all your time in longer classes, I feel like you’re not going to learn as much and you’re going to be less focused. Lunch is going to be too crowded, and gym [class] is going to be so much longer.”

Assistant Principal Brett Curtis

“I think the new block schedule is going to be beneficial for learning. Due to the fact that there are longer class periods, it will allow for more smooth activities, deeper learning and less homework, I would hope, because you’re seeing people for longer periods of time. I taught AP US History first period for a very long time and seeing people that period everyday, you don’t get the best of the kids, a lot of times because it’s the first period of the morning. The rotating piece and seeing classes at different times of the day is going to benefit students so you’re not in the same place every day.”

English Teacher Bailey Verdone

“Block scheduling is like any other major change where there will be an adjustment period to work out all of the logistical issues in its implementation. Teachers and students need to anticipate that in the coming school year. We as teachers will have to adjust our planning and be flexible and understanding with our students.” 

“We’ll have more time in class to do activities, lessons and units without as much interruption. We’ll be seeing our students at different times of the day which will allow us to get to know them better. 

Social Studies Teacher Antony Farag

“Logistical challenges, including traffic, will be what we’ll have to adjust to. Otherwise, it’s similar to other major adjustments we’ve had to make over the years, including the COVID-19 hybrid schedule. It should be interesting.”