Toppling the Block
By EMMA SCHULZE
For the past three years, Westlake High School has been run on a block schedule. This means that classes run for 80 minutes rather than 40, and they are every other day. For example, on “A” days first block, I would have Government and Economics; while on “B” days first block, I would have Media/Video 2.
Block scheduling has given students opportunities to take more classes and electives based on their interests. Westlake has a plethora of classes that allow students to explore their interests and help them discover what they want to do with their future.
Christopher Pinchiaroli, President of the Board of Education, said, “Several years ago, the School Board agreed with the recommendation that the High School go to a block schedule.” He continued, “Because of a conflicting clause in the contract between the District and the teachers' union, the District could not effectively or economically implement the Block without the Union's permission. The Union granted this permission, but only through the end of this school year. For the Block to continue, the Union has to agree. So far, the union has not agreed, and unless it agrees, there will be no block. The Union, in my opinion, is using the Block, which it knows is popular with the students, their parents, and the Board, to obtain a better labor contract. The School Board supports the Block and wants it to continue.”
Virginia Campbell, the President of the Teacher’s Union states that the teachers were never, and still are not, against block scheduling; the Union just wants to negotiate their contract before it expires in June, as scheduling is part of a teacher’s contract. Campbell said, “The teachers feel badly that it’s impacting the community and the students; it has sort of become this big issue, and that’s the last thing we wanted as educators. What we wanted was to work this out before it actually happens.”
In order to keep block scheduling alive sophomore Lauren DeMartino started a petition that reads:
“The purpose of this petition is to make the public aware of the imminent loss of block scheduling. We need enough student signatures in order to convince the MPTA that we should not be used as bargaining chips in teacher negotiations. Our hope is that with enough support, the MPTA will agree to continue block scheduling for our sakes. We all want the best and strive for excellence both at home and at school. Us students are at risk of losing the block scheduling, which is one of the many things that makes Westlake High School such an amazing place” (change.org).
So far, 326 people have signed the petition. Signees range from parents to elementary school students. Even people from out of New York state signed the petition. “I’m so so so happy that people were so supportive and helpful,” DeMartino stated regarding the outcome.
Whether Westlake has the block schedule or not, it doesn’t change the way teachers educate their students. There isn’t one better schedule than the other, they simply have a different structure. After interviewing all sides, it seems like nobody is against block scheduling. The only reason it’s up in the air is because it’s part of the contract, which The Board of Education and the Teacher’s Union have to agree on.