Small changes only for next year's schedule Don't rock the boat (or the schedule). - Katrina Machado Thursday, March 17, 2011 By Eric Baggen and James Rider Advertising There has been a lot of discussion recently about next year’s schedule, especially now that students are starting to choose their classes for the 2011/2012 school year. You’ve probably noticed some minor changes on the course selection sheet such as the lack of AP Calculus BC. However, the reality is that there will be no drastic changes to the schedule for next year. Yes, that means semesters are here to stay, and you can start dispelling those rumors you have heard about a year-long A/B or trimester schedule.  According to Renee Vieira, biology teacher and president of the Dartmouth Education Association (the teachers’ union), the two major issues still in discussion concerning next year’s schedule are the Freshman Academy and Advisories. The question about Freshman Academy is whether to have it run like last year (each student has two “teams”) or like this year (with an academy of four teachers). The question about advisories is if they are beneficial enough to keep, or could they be changed for the better. These are the only two discussions about next year’s schedule left on the teachers’ union table according to Mrs. Vieira.  The scheduling process seems to be going more smoothly this year according to DHS Principal Kerry Lynch. “There are a lot less unknowns at this time,” she said. However, this is not to say that there aren’t any schedule issues. The stripping of the BC portion of the AP Calculus course has upset some students.  “There’s definitely a demand for the class and some colleges will only accept the BC class for credit,” said junior Joseph Chouinard. For those unaware, the class runs every day this year, covering both the AB and BC portions of the class; AB being the easier section and BC including more involved applications of calculus. As junior Jack Lindblom more fervently put it, "They will now have switched the calculus schedule two years in a row; wouldn't you think they would wait a few years to see the results of that change on test and AP scores? The way I see it, they're missing the chance to determine a relation between the two and make well-educated decisions for the betterment of our education.” Another difference in the new schedule is that some AP classes that previously ran a full year will now run only three quarters of the year. This includes AP Literature and AP World History. “I think making some AP classes go for 3 quarters was a smart move. After health, there’s really nothing useful to stick with gym, so changing the length of these classes is something that will actually benefit us as students,” said Chouinard. The biggest concern for most students was the proposed removal of the A/B scheduling system. This system allowed for the band and orchestra to alternate days throughout the year while sharing the music room; chorus also followed this schedule. Luckily for them, this system will be kept in place for next year. Here’s something to consider: “The purpose of the schedule is to see what works best for student learning, not what students want. There’s a difference,” said Science Department Head Dr. Peter Bangs. We all want the schedule to conform to each of our specific needs - that’s obvious, but with a school of 1,200 students, it’s just not possible to satisfy us all. The good news is that it is clear that after last year’s schedule petition, the students will have a voice when the time for drastic schedule change comes. This was made clear by Ms. Lynch. “I hope that scheduling not only will be a school issue, but a school wide initiative, including the student voice in giving input for possible schedules,” said Principal Lynch. Mrs. Vieira is confident that teachers will have more time to discuss possible schedule changes within the next teacher contract. “We will have time within the next teacher’s contract to study other schedules and discuss possible issues. We need that time to have those conversations about what faculty and students need to see,” said Mrs. Vieira.

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