It came out wrong. What you heard isn't what I meant.
Today Hudson HSLT held our PTA meeting and one of the topics was the new schedule.
We are looking to start a new schedule in September with three months of instruction and one month off. It would look like this:
Term 1
September, October, November
Off-December
Term 2
January, February, March
Off-April
Term 3
May, June, July
Off- August
One parent raised the question- should we ask students if they want the new schedule?
I responded with hesitation. "I wouldn't want to ask students without knowing what to do with responses. What if students say they do not want it because of their friends and we go forward with it anyway? If so, then do we really have student voice? I would feel awful if they had a say and then saw their voice meant nothing".
Since the meeting I have not stopped thinking about the parent question. It was a great question and I didn't reflect enough upon my response before speaking.
I have asked a few students what they think of the new schedule and I know some advisors have had this discussion. Although these conversations are happening, we do not have a forum to know of them. Maybe the question isn't if they want it- but maybe it's about how they feel about it?
When I feared for students not being heard, I removed their right to speak at all. What I meant to say came out wrong. I want to hear what students think. I would like to know what struggles they think they will face, and they should be part of the conversation.
Changing summer break is not a big deal for me. If I were 15 would I feel the same?
PTA meetings are crucial to our development as a school. The parent this evening who raised that question made change happen. It was your parent who spoke up for you.
We have a forum.
Students have a voice- and now a space to share it.
Post your thoughts about the new schedule here in the comments section, speak with your advisor, find me for a conversation or send an email.
