The schedules for students and staff for the next school year are out. Listed are the days school begins and ends for students next year (August 18th, 2014-June 2^nd, 2015), and all of the days off.

However, there is one big difference in next year. There are only 4 marking periods, each having been extended to 9 weeks long, and the first semester now ends before winter break, meaning midterm exams are now just before students get off for winter break.

The response to this new schedule change from students and teachers seems to be, at best, conflicted. There is agreement, however, that the semester ending earlier is a mostly good thing.

“I actually think it’s better that the semester ends before winter break, because two weeks is a long time to get back on track, and it’s better to end the semester earlier,” Mrs. Gerlach, the school’s front office clerk, said in response.

Mrs. Stolz, the school’s psychologist, said, “I actually like that the semester would end before winter break, because students, after 2 weeks off, have to rush into exams currently. But,” she continued, “I think the 9 week marking periods will make it very hard for the students and staff.”