Do the students of Anne Arundel County public schools like the new schedule for virtual days? With the long periods, an earlier start, and a way later release time, many students and teachers are dreading this change. The new schedule was introduced to the Anne Arundel County public schools Friday February 20th. Some students may have sports and job shifts starting at 3:30, which is normally right after school, but for virtual days that is when class ends.
“I think it’s too long for no reason and we should shorten it back down,” junior, Kayden Manuel said.
Almost all AACPS students have a busy personal life: whether it is sports, a job, or chores, everyone has a life outside of school.
“It does affect my personal life, because really, at home, I got stuff to do for my family and some daily chores, so the schedule being longer kind of messes with it,” Manuel said.
Many students loved the old schedule because of how efficient it was and many would love to go back to it.
“Yes, I would because it’s more time efficient and, after about an hour, I get sort of lost in space,” Manuel said.
Many students would love to make their own schedule, so that their personal needs are met.
“I think I would make the schedule later in the morning because that gives children more time to sleep and that allows them to focus more in school. And I would make classes an hour instead of an hour, 20 minutes long,” Manuel said.
Students tend to get bored and lose focus in school from sitting in a chair for an extended period of time, so when it comes to being at home behind a computer screen for 80 minutes, the boredom may be worse.
“I do get very bored and lose focus, because after 80 minutes, you get really tired and it starts to get very boring so I just start to zone out or do something else,” Manuel said.
All teens need some type of activity to keep them engaged, awake, or their mind going so when asked what the school should do to keep them engaged brain breaks or rests are mentioned.
“I think if they don’t shorten the classes, we should get brain breaks. And I think Brain Break should be like 10 minutes to do whatever you want, do whatever you need and just relax so you can get back in the zone,” Manuel said.
Though teachers may think most kids like virtual or they may pay attention better and it’s easier, when you ask the majority of the students if they pay attention most come up with the same answer.
“Uh, no, I don’t pay attention if I’m gonna be honest it is not as engaging as in person and it’s also more stressful with all the lags and glitches,” Manuel said.
