Masuk Free Press

Most students at Masuk High School are getting used to a new schedule. Everybody is aware of the removal of FLEX on 3 days a week, 8-period days, and the removal of a lunch wave. However, one change that may have gone under some students’ radars is that passing time was cut on straight 8-day schedules. On these certain days, the passing time was cut from the previous 5 minutes down to 4 minutes. It is important to note how Masuk students could be impacted by the change to the passing time, aside from other schedule changes. There are still 5 minutes of passing time on block days. Do students even notice this change, or was it a good decision by the administration to increase time spent in class rather than in the hallways? 

Masuk’s sophomores, juniors, and seniors have experienced the block schedule in the previous school years. The passing time differs now this year compared to last year at Masuk without the extra minute.

“So far, for me, I haven’t been late yet.” Masuk sophomore Logan Deloge shared. “Many times the bell will ring right before I get in if the hallways are really crowded.” “Even then, it feels like a problem.” 

 “I feel like it should be a bit longer, since the kids who need to get to their lockers can only do that when it’s lunch time,” Deloge explained. 

 Deloge also shared that the hallways are too crowded to make it to class on time. 

“The majority of the time, I’ve been on time.” Masuk junior Kyan Milo said. “There are a lot of people that I know that are usually on time on block days who are a little bit later to class.”

“I have some friends that usually arrive on time or people I know at the very least that arrive on time, but don’t get there as early or on time as they used to,” Milo explained. “I think that maybe the decrease in passing time has made a lot of people late.” 

“I haven’t been late to class yet.” Masuk sophomore Don Curtis replied. “I don’t know why they do this.” He shared.

The Masuk freshmen have not experienced the block schedule last year, so they are not familiar with what passing time is like.  One freshman did not feel as if he felt as if he had enough time to get around the school. 

“I feel like every single time I’m trying to get to a class, it’s always a close cut,” Masuk freshman Hriday Kiran replied. “The bell rings exactly when I get to the room, so there’s no room for getting anything from my locker or anything else.” 

“In middle school, I went to STEM, so it’s just one hallway. I feel like it’s not much of a difference in time, but it was much easier to get around,” Kiran stated. “I feel like if they gave us a tiny bit more time here at Masuk, it would be alright.”

Masuk principal Mr. Swensen made comments about removing the one minute of passing time. He also noted that he is aware of the number of students arriving late to class. 

“It’s a new schedule for everybody.” Mr. Swensen, Principal of Masuk High School, answered. “Kids adapt to finding the best way to get from one class to the next. I would bet most kids are finding what the quickest route is.”

Mr. Swensen also stated that he’s keeping an eye on the number of tardies being reported by teachers. “If we have to make adjustments, we will, but right now, predominantly, most kids are getting to class on time.”

Mr. Swensen also provided an explanation for why the one minute of passing time was removed.

“The honest answer is to try to maximize the amount of time in class.” Mr. Swensen replied. “My job here is to provide education opportunities, and I wanted to maximize classroom time. While socialization is important, what’s more important is instructional time.” 

So, the answer is, does taking away one minute from passing time affect students’ ability to make it on time to class? Yes and no. Students might not have enough time to talk to friends or go to their lockers during passing time. Eventually, students will adapt and start finding faster ways to their classes. Removing the minute also encourages students to get to class faster and provides more instructional time for the teachers. Overall, removing the one minute is negligible for passing time, but the extra minute of instruction can help teachers on days with short classes.