Change the 2025-2026 LWSD Bell Schedule!
Change the 2025-2026 LWSD Bell Schedule!
The Issue
The current LWSD bell schedule shows the district’s continued disregard for students' input and needs.
Under the current schedule, students who may need extra support but can't get it before or after school are not accommodated because of the lack of homeroom time. For example, if a student takes the bus to and from school, they will need the support time that homeroom provides. The same goes for a student enrolled in before-school music programs and after-school sports.
Furthermore, the 80-minute block periods may impede students' learning, especially for students with ADHD or other attention disorders. Moreover, there is no research to support that longer class periods are beneficial to students.
Speaking of research, most studies don't point to a definitive class length that is perfect for students. Rather, the research indicates that it is how the class time is used that matters. This means that the quality of a teacher and their lesson plans is what matters most. For example, a teacher lecturing for 50 minutes is far worse than a teacher splitting up 80 minutes into many hands-on activities and learning opportunities. LWSD has provided no indication that teachers will receive training backed by said research to accommodate students for 80-minute periods to ensure quality learning.
Such training would cost a significant amount of money. Considering that part of the reason a six-period bell schedule is needed is due to the district’s poor management of funds (which has led to millions of dollars in losses year after year since 2020) it is not clear how the district would fund such training.
Overall, throughout this school year, the district has shown a complete disregard for students' interests and needs. They continue to make decisions that affect students with minimal student input. This has to stop. To be clear, by signing this petition, you are not only agreeing that this atrocious bell schedule must be changed but also that the district’s inconsiderate decision-making must be stopped.
Sincerely,
The LWSD Student Union
1,324
The Issue
The current LWSD bell schedule shows the district’s continued disregard for students' input and needs.
Under the current schedule, students who may need extra support but can't get it before or after school are not accommodated because of the lack of homeroom time. For example, if a student takes the bus to and from school, they will need the support time that homeroom provides. The same goes for a student enrolled in before-school music programs and after-school sports.
Furthermore, the 80-minute block periods may impede students' learning, especially for students with ADHD or other attention disorders. Moreover, there is no research to support that longer class periods are beneficial to students.
Speaking of research, most studies don't point to a definitive class length that is perfect for students. Rather, the research indicates that it is how the class time is used that matters. This means that the quality of a teacher and their lesson plans is what matters most. For example, a teacher lecturing for 50 minutes is far worse than a teacher splitting up 80 minutes into many hands-on activities and learning opportunities. LWSD has provided no indication that teachers will receive training backed by said research to accommodate students for 80-minute periods to ensure quality learning.
Such training would cost a significant amount of money. Considering that part of the reason a six-period bell schedule is needed is due to the district’s poor management of funds (which has led to millions of dollars in losses year after year since 2020) it is not clear how the district would fund such training.
Overall, throughout this school year, the district has shown a complete disregard for students' interests and needs. They continue to make decisions that affect students with minimal student input. This has to stop. To be clear, by signing this petition, you are not only agreeing that this atrocious bell schedule must be changed but also that the district’s inconsiderate decision-making must be stopped.
Sincerely,
The LWSD Student Union
1,324
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on February 20, 2025