Written by Haley Hrnciar, Staff Writer
Since the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, Kenosha Unified School District officials have required students to make many changes, such as wearing masks, always having to sanitize, and now having to adjust to block scheduling.
But what is block scheduling?
Block scheduling is when students take four classes a day instead of the typical seven. In block scheduling, teens have A days and B days. A days are the first four classes and B days are the last four classes. Block scheduling provides more time in classes than the typical seven-day class schedule does, by giving students 90-minute classes instead of 45- minute classes.
Some students at Indian Trail High School and Academy were asked to give their opinions on how they feel about block scheduling. “It’s not bad, I’ve been doing online classes from the start and it’s been pretty good,” said General Studies senior Autumn Rust, who chose to take classes virtual this year.
Indian Trail students cited several benefits and drawbacks to the longer class periods.
“There are not so many classes in one day, and it’s easier to remember what you have for homework and you can do your homework one step at a time rather than doing all classes in one day,” Rust said. “It’s nice taking one class at a time.”
Jaydon Ellis, a General Studies senior, who chose in-person classes this year, cited more benefits to the block schedule.
“I feel like it’s a lot easier than before, and it gives us more time to do homework and lessons. There is more time to do lessons and have time to do homework and for releases. It’s really nice to have a longer break,” Ellis said.
The downside to the class periods can also be their length.
“It can be harder to focus and sit still for a long time, especially if you’re at home. I get distracted easily,” Rust said.
Another downside to the block schedule is an increase in workload due to more time in class, Ellis said.
Communications Academy senior Natalie Lother, who is taking classes in person, likes the block schedule.
“I like it because it feels like a college schedule and gives me more experience with college scheduling,” Lother said. “I have more time for homework and it doesn’t feel as stressful, but with each class being a long as it is, I lose focus and do other things instead.”
If given the choice, all three students said they would pick block scheduling over the previous seven-period daily schedule that KUSD had for students last year.