As first semester comes to a close, students and staff may see a shift in their second semester schedule.

For some, a new semester class may be replaced, or a current full-year course class may be moved to a different period.

Assistant principal Jarrod Mulheman oversees the changes that occur in students’ schedules.  He said, “With the amount of electives offered here at the high school, and in order for those to run effectively and efficiently, [the schedule changes] provide flexibility.”

According to Mulheman, the changes take place in order to ensure that students aren’t locked into a certain course for the entire year,  and it allows more room for semester electives.

Students may be able to take two different electives each semester during one period due to the options granted with the schedule changes.

This opportunity does not only affect students but staff as well.

Art teacher Jennifer Stevenson teaches two separate art classes during first and second semester.  Stevenson said, “My schedule is changing because a lot of my classes are semester classes. My seventh period Art Foundations ends after first semester and will be switching to sixth period second semester.”

While the rearrangement  of schedules may provide better flexibility, it can also be challenging to those who are affected.  

Junior Sahly Traore will be having her AP Psychology class moved from first to sevent  period next semester. Traore said, “I’m nervous about switching classes because it’s going to be very confusing and it will be like the first day of school all over again.”

According to Stevenson, it can be nice to meet new students in class second semester, but the time of year can be very stressful.  She said, “Not only am I trying to end semester classes like it’s the last day of school, but then once break is over, I have to be prepared for all new courses and new students.

The eight period schedule system at MHS makes course scheduling easier since there are more ways to fit all of the student’s desired classes into one day.

Mulheman said, “Block schedule limits the amount of flexibility that can be helpful for some students.”

However, if a student doesn’t want a schedule change, accommodations can be made. There is the option for an independent study which allows students to take a course without having to add it into their daily schedule.

Mulheman said, “The first step would be to see your counselor. If you want to switch it back to make your class a full year in the same period, you definitely can. As far as independent study, there is a form that you  can fill out and have signed by your teacher and administrators.”