Lina Hsu, Emma Levine, Shamar Mills, Alejandro Salazar
As the 2023-2024 school year begins at Cardozo High School, many things have changed. One of the major things that has changed for both staff and students is the school schedule. Previously, Cardozo High School was on a multi-session schedule, with staff and students coming in on different time schedules. Some students and staff were scheduled from 1st through 8th period, with others scheduled from 2nd through 9th period. Now, the entire school operates on a single-session schedule, 1st through 8th. With this new schedule, there are many new things that have been introduced and the consensus has been both positive and negative.
Two of the biggest changes that have happened across the school are homerooms and shorter class periods. Previously, class periods were 43 minutes long. This year, they are now only 40 minutes long. The reason for this is to allow for a longer time in between classes. The new addition of the Annex building makes it harder for students to get from class to class in the previous 3-minute window. Now, the passing time is 5 minutes long.
The new schedule also comes with a homeroom block in the morning every day. Last year, homeroom didn’t exist, and instead, our daily attendance would be taken during the 2nd or 9th period. Now, during homeroom, every student’s attendance for the whole day is taken. If you end up missing homeroom, you’re marked absent for the entire day. This is why it is so crucial for students to report to homeroom every day.
Homeroom was also added to provide students with all of the information they need for school in once place. For example, students would be informed when to take the PSAT, AP Exams, Regents, and they would be able to receive their report cards during homeroom, as well. Before the installation of the homeroom, most 2nd period and 9th period teachers had to provide these valuable items at the end of class, which in turn took up valuable class time and gave students less time to learn.
Many teachers at Cardozo feel the homerooms can be very helpful. “I think it’s got a good idea because it prevents a lot of announcements during the day, as well as keeping all our students together and giving them the information they need,” stated English teacher, Mr. Kroll. Math teacher, Mrs. Wallach, also agrees. “I think it’s still new, so not everyone knows what to do with it yet, but I think eventually it will be useful for students and teachers alike,” she stated.
Students don’t think that homeroom is a bad idea, but many are concerned about having to get to school by a specific time. “It’s not a bad idea, it’s the fact that you have to get to school early. The morning lines are long, so I’ll be marked absent the entire day regardless if I woke up early or not,” stated Giovanni Melville.
In terms of the shorter schedule, some students have voiced concerns about having less time to take classes. This has caused many students to opt out of a lunch period in order to take an additional class for their credits and schedule. Some students feel as though they are now at a disadvantage with the new, single-session schedule. Some teachers agree, as well. “To the students that want to take extra courses, and wanna be ahead of the game and take AP classes, it doesn’t allow them to fill up their schedule with more courses,” shared Mrs. Wallach.
Other students and staff are happy to get out earlier. Previously, 9th period ended at 3:03 PM, and now 8th period ends at 2:20 PM. A shorter school day is good for some people, however, there are also issues that arise with everyone getting out all at once. Cardozo student Ruben Sim stated that getting out all at once can be overwhelming. “We all start at the same time and leave the same time, and don’t get on the bus until 2:50 when school finishes at 2:20,” Sim stated.
The busses are a big ticket problem for students who take the MTA bus home. Many students reported that they had to wait for another bus when the first one that arrived was too packed. “The buses are just as packed as the school, to the point I’ve waited 40 minutes just to take a regular bus, and the bus driver stopped the bus because of how packed it was,” shared Melville.
Currently, the schedule is still new and both students and staff are adjusting to the changes. It will take time to get used to the changes, like homeroom and shorter class periods. Despite the challenges, it seems with the new Annex, the single-session school day is here to stay.