Administrators implemented a new homeroom this year after dropping Hawk Time.

For the past years, Hawk Time was a 25-minute period on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the end of the school day. Principal Tim Felderman explained this period was a supplemental instruction time used for intervention, extension and clarification of content.

“Although the time was intended for homework, students played games and watched movies instead,” said Spanish teacher Dale Sperfslage. Teachers realized that the students were not using their time wisely and decided a change was needed.

According to Felderman, a variety of staff members met for five to seven weeks in the spring to create a plan for homeroom for the 2018 school year. Now, every Wednesday after second, period students meet in their homeroom to check grades and increase social skills.  

“With it being held in the middle of the school day, students don’t have the chance to leave the school,” said sophomore Ben Ries.

Another new change is every other Wednesday students participate in a group activity to get to know other students in their homeroom.

Teachers and students have already seen a positive impact due to the change of Hawk Time. “From this change there is less wandering around and students are using their time more effectively,” Sperfslage said. Sperfslage also noted another benefit is less confusion with schedules having homeroom only once a week.  

Junior Kaleah Carter appreciates the change. “Having homeroom in the middle of the day helps if students are in sports and may have to leave early from school, giving time to get homework done,” Carter said.

“It’s been great to have homeroom every Wednesday and be able to catch up on homework since I’m so busy in the play,” said sophomore Karsyn Welcher.