As the third trimester started, students were informed that we would not have PowerHour and would continue with the traditional bell schedule until Friday. On Monday, Feb. 26, we will get PowerHour back, but why did we have a traditional schedule for the beginning of trimester three?
“This is the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a new trimester. It has always been this way,” assistant principal Chase Cruse said. “It allows students to acclimate and find paths between their classes.”
The lack of PowerHour has been an issue many students have brought to light. Students aren’t seeing the benefits of a traditional schedule we rarely use, only to be switched back to our normal PowerHour schedule in which they now have to find completely new paths. PowerHour also is beneficial for teachers who can give students extra help with adjustments in the new trimester, as well as catching up from the previous trimester.
With this change students have asked many pressing questions. What can I do to makeup finals I missed? What can I do if I have tests this week? We went and found a few answers:
“Students who have missed school last week and need to make up finals need to reach out to the teacher and set up a way for them to take their test,” assistant principal, Matt Baucum said. “The counselors’ office can also help set up a time for you to take the test.”
These are the standard actions you would take with a traditional schedule and is the way to make that last grade matter.
“Most tests that teachers are giving are pretests. These are used for teachers to gauge what students know,” Baucum said, “but it is usually on a teacher-to-teacher basis on the test you’re taking and the study time you have.”
While this isn’t the answer most students want, it gives insight on what to do. When you have a test and no PowerHour, you may need to talk to your teacher and figure out the reason for the test as it may be to gauge your ability.
“This should make everyone more appreciative of PowerHour and how they use it,” Baucum said. “It’s a privilege and no other school in the county has it.”
In the end, once an SOP is put in place, the school follows it. However, is it time for a change in the procedures that have been in place? Are these helpful or hurtful?
Let us know in the comments what you think of the Standard Operation Procedures and if they positively or negatively impacted your schooling experience.
