FORT FRANCES—Students attending Fort Frances High School this fall will be learning to do the shuffle—at least with their class schedules, that is.
Starting Sept. 15, FFHS administration will introduce a new bi-weekly class schedule intended to keep students alert and focused during all four of their subjects each semester.
“We’re excited to try this new arrangement and hope it will keep students on their toes,” principal Gord McCabe said.
Through research conducted by high school staff, they were able to identify that students’ interest levels peaked during the morning periods, McCabe noted.
“We found that 55 percent of the high school’s failed credits were afternoon classes,” he remarked.
In an effort to curve afternoon sleepiness or continual absences (especially during periods one and four), McCabe said staff have decided to try this pilot project for the next school year.
The first eight days of classes will run in the same sequence as previous years, then students will have to adjust to a flip in the rotation.
“The system will operate on a cycle, with classes running periods one, two, three, and four for the duration of two weeks,” McCabe explained. “It will then flip to four, three, two, and one.”
McCabe said the new schedule will provide variety for both staff and students, and will help raise attendance in certain classes.
“Due to our geographical location, many of our sports teams have to miss their afternoon classes because of travel time and we think that this plays a large role in some students’ success in different academics,” he noted.
“Certain classes tend to experience lower attendance because of their scheduling placement, so we want our students to dedicate as much attention to all studies,” he stressed.
The Co-op program will notice the largest change with the bi-weekly flip, McCabe admitted.
“We will lose some employers, but we will also gain others with the change,” he reasoned.
As well, students now will see the whole spectrum of a business, he added.
“I think it’s important that a student sees what takes place in both the morning and afternoon because it better prepares them,” McCabe said.
Co-op co-ordinator Nancy Gillon also agreed both employers and students will benefit from the new scheduling system because it mixes up a students’ day—taking some of the routine out of it.
But not everyone is happy with the change. A petition started by a group of students, which circulated around the high school during the last two weeks of classes, had about 160 names on it before it was dropped.
The group that started the petition was said to be upset the new schedule would disrupt their daily routines and responsibilities, such as spares, co-ops, work schedules, and personal responsibilities.
The new process may cause some confusion off the bat, McCabe conceded.
“However, it works at other schools and it can here, too,” he argued, referring to a similar system he taught under at Nipigon-Red Rock District High School.
Over the past three months, businesses that participate in the Co-op program have been notified by FFHS staff of the change and have been asked if they are willing to continue with the program, noted McCabe.
“Most of the response from businesses has been supportive, but there are always some people that the change may not work for and we understand that,” he said.
Fort High administration will vote next spring on whether to continue using the new class scheduling system in the future.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
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