SMART Block
Making SMART Block SmarterBY MARY-TATE TEANEY 9-15-14
“I think with every change there is improvement,” English teacher Karen Medlin said.
There have been many changes occurring at Rose this year. One of these is SMART Block. Instead of leaving SMART Block how it was last year, the Rose committee for it has come up with a few new ideas to improve it and help it run more efficiently this coming school year. The big change is that a calendar will be implemented to try and avoid confusion. This calendar will state all the times the school will or will not be having SMART Block. Therefore, everyone will know changes in schedule ahead of time instead of finding out last minute. “We’re just trying to be a little bit smarter about how we schedule everything, and we don’t want to have unnecessary stoppages,” principal Monica Jacobson said. “We want people people to know when to expect the stoppages we do have.” Students and faculty both benefit from SMART Block in multiple ways. “As usual, I think most students will take advantage of [SMART Block], to get extra help in their classes and build stronger relationships with their teachers,” teacher Amity Kea said. Kea also said that SMART Block should be reintroduced on Sept. 22. SMART Block is a big part of Rose and is something that sets the school apart from other schools in Pitt County. Most teachers and students are fans of last year’s SMART Block and are ready to see what the new SMART Block plan has in store. “SMART Block gives me a chance to connect with my students,” teacher Obioma Chukwu said. Chukwu also said that it gives students who may have missed something a chance to catch up and get work done. “It gives me time to recuperate,” sophomore Angel Blount said. “It gives me time to study and do homework, but it also gives me a little free time near the end of the school day.” Junior Shelby Casey said she liked the way SMART Block was last year but is open to change, depending on what the change is. “What we consider [for change] with each new year is what’s going on that year, the student body, the schedule and the plans.” Medlin said. “So I think it always is improving.” The committee is trying to change SMART Block to be as organized as possible, while making sure it is more of a privilege than a burden. With the new calendar, new times, and new rules; parents, students and faculty will now hopefully all know what to expect this school year and be more prepared than last year. Rose is more than ready to receive SMART Block again. Change is waiting to happen. And the school year is finally kicking into gear. HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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