Editor’s Note: This is the fourth story in a four-part series about the possible new school day schedules which the board will vote on at its meeting on Monday, March 16. 

The final possible schedule for the 2016-17 school year is a nine 45 minute period school day.

Aside from the other schedules, this one in particular provides a few extra minutes to each class period each day, and maintains the current nine period pattern. Passing periods would be five minutes and homeroom would not meet on a daily basis if this schedule is implemented. Homeroom and collaboration time could be incorporated on late start days, but there are flexible options when scheduling these two. Science labs could be added into the schedule by having lab days as 1.5 periods, allowing for the remaining half period to be scheduled for lunch.

As with all the other possibilities, whatever schedule the school board decides on, if they decide to change it, will result in an adjustment period for students and staff. Pros to this specific schedule include flexibility for homeroom and collaboration time, potentially longer lab times, and consistence in the number of school day periods, as our current schedule is similar.

Students and staff have mixed opinions when it comes to what schedule could be better for Niles West.

“We are able to do more in a block schedule and it would help the students because they would be able to take more classes but they haven’t really talked about it. I know Glenbrook South has a block schedule and they love it,” history teacher Scott Ackman said.

Some are opposed to the change due to the negative effects it may have.

“I think it’s better to have our schedule because when classes are longer students tend to zone out more, so shorter classes allow for students to better focus,” junior Amanda Pusateri explained.

Others are relatively neutral when it comes to the possibility.

“I think it’s good to see what options are out there, I’m not opposed to it,” P.E. teacher Teri Langston added.