By Austin Brown, news editor

As you have probably noticed, there have been changes to the bell schedule. A change that has students arriving at the building later and leaving earlier because the student school day was shortened by forty-five minutes.  

In previous years, the school day started at 8:15 a.m. and ended at 3:24 p.m. for Saegertown Jr. Sr. High School.However, this year classes start at 8:25 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. for every high school in the district because the daily schedule has been standardized across the district.

The disappearance of the school wide tutorial and ‘C’ lunch are direct results of the shortened school day.  These changes have frustrated some students like Junior Jacob Steiger. “Because of the changes I don’t have time to study during school, and ask for assistance from my teachers if needed,” Steiger said.  Despite the change, all PENNCREST schools are still meeting the 990 hours of instruction required by law.

There are many reasons the district bell schedules were aligned according to PENNCREST Superintendent Michael Healey. “We tried to standardize the arrival of all the schools. We put a consistent period of arrival so the teachers may look at student data, and look at instructions to better serve students. When we want those things, we have to put give and take in the schedule.”

While there have been mixed emotions about the loss of the school wide tutorial, it was cut because it was not designated for a common purpose. “I am not opposed for giving students remediation, but all three schools were doing different things with the class period,” said Mr. Healey.

However,  Mr. Healey did not dismiss the possibility of returning to a tutorial period. “ Mr. Nuhfer [Principal at Cambridge Springs Jr. Sr. High School] is going to get together with the other principals to bring to me a plan to evaluate whether or not that period is necessary, and an operation for a remedial period at the end of the day.”

Senior Kalib Kiser said, “I think that the changes regarding the schedule hardly affect any students, and any students who have negative comments regarding the change are just complaining. Honestly, what’s it even matter?”