LANCERS are well familiar with the before-school FLEX schedule, but that may be about to change. As the end of the semester draws near, the administration is looking for ways to increase FLEX attendance. Their latest effort: a new bell schedule. The proposed schedule moves FLEX from before school, to in between first and second periods.
This new schedule also eliminates Free FLEX, instead having anyone not called to FLEX to a carefully assigned homeroom.
As for what brought this about, Mr. Howe said that the idea came from three main sources. First: new advice from other teachers. “We had 35 teachers attend a conference, where they learned that having FLEX at the start or end of the day wasn’t the best idea,” he said.
Second, the FLEX time steering committee, a group of faculty members in charge of how FLEX is used, saw this exact change work well at Hillcrest High School. Finally, according to Mr. Howe, Granger FLEX only has about a 25% attendance rate.
While this new schedule won’t completely fix FLEX these attendance issues, Mr Howe believes it’s worth a shot. “I think the best, highest functioning schools are the ones that adapt to help kids. There’s been a lot of feedback saying, ‘Hey, this could be better for our students,’ but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Teachers are already preparing for these changes. Mr. Brocksome, a geography teacher, says, “I don’t think homeroom groups will be very big, but I’ll have them do homework or read.” He uses FLEX to help his students get caught up and is hopeful that this new schedule will have kids using that time more effectively. Overall, he’s optimistic, “I think it’s good to have time built into the day to help kids…I think the new schedule is worth a try.”
Mr. Schmeling, a Freshman Success and AVID teacher, is also optimistic about the new schedule. He says that he’s used FLEX as an opportunity to help kids who need more support and/or are behind.
While he says the faculty is split fifty-fifty on whether to switch the schedules, Mr. Schmeling wants to try something new. “Right now, kids think, ‘Oh I don’t need to be here,’ so having the kids here will help them get the support they need,” he said.
He believes that moving FLEX between first and second period will be more beneficial, as there will always be an opportunity for kids to get something done — even during homeroom. As for how he’s going to handle both homeroom and FLEX kids, he said, “It’s probably something that we’ll have to learn as we go.”
Students, however, are a bit more hesitant. Strahinja Dragicevic (9) thinks that while the new schedule could be effective in having more kids attend, there also could be some disadvantages — particularly with the removal of free FLEX. “I feel like we should rearrange it to have a free FLEX option,” he said. Dragicevic uses free FLEX to get ahead in his classes and won’t be able to do so as easily without free FLEX.
Although he’s probably going to continue doing classwork during homeroom like he would with free FLEX, the lack of direct teacher assistance brought on by homeroom will make it more difficult. “I feel like the new schedule has its benefits and disadvantages. While more kids will show up, it hurts that student-teacher bond you get from choosing your teacher with free FLEX,” he said.
Imed Aguilar (10) is similarly split. She feels that the schedule overall is a good idea, but “it’s kinda depending on everyone’s opinions…you can’t hang out with your friends, but you get extra time to check on your grades and play games.” While she usually plans out what classwork to do during free FLEX, she’s probably going to just be writing song lyrics during homeroom.
She says people should be positive. “The administration and teachers have everyone’s best interests at heart. Be mindful of things even if you don’t like them. Also, ask for help when you need it.”