The Edward R. Murrow High School Band-Aid Schedule is one of the most important staples of Murrow. It gives students the opportunity to take many unique electives in addition to core classes, have well-deserved and needed breaks, and experience Murrow to its fullest. Recently, the administration and higher-ups are strongly considering the decision to remove the Band-Aid entirely. Based on a google form that Murrow has recently sent out to students and staff, if this decision is made, the school will have a multi-sessional school day with only 8 periods, a mandated lunch period and only room for one elective, if students have time for any. 

The administration's driving force of this decision is to reduce the amount of students who cut class, and to prevent kids from taking advantage of OPTA privileges. The school reasons that with fewer bands per student and core classes mandated, people will have fewer opportunities to "cause trouble." In reality, students who make the decision to cut a class will do so regardless of the schedule format they are given. 

This decision would leave students in multiple specialized programs without a choice, which could then place programs such as all the screened programs, Music Technology, Virtual Enterprise, MSTAR, etc. in jeopardy of eventually being shut down. Murrow prides itself on being one of the few high schools in NYC to offer a large range of AP classes. With this change, could very likely come a drastic fall of all opportunities for students to gain more knowledge, and in some cases, even college credit. With the recent addition of the courtroom to the school, and the soon to be reinstated TV and Radio studio that has already started construction this semester, how will students be able to take advantage of these programs if there is no room in their schedules to take them?

OPTAs would also likely be a thing of the past with this new model. School would also start earlier for some, and end later for others, putting those in many clubs and those with long commutes in a difficult position. Moreover, every class would meet every day, which is radically different from previous Murrow models and doesn't allow people to take a break from a class or catch up on work for a subject. Murrow claims to make their students college and career ready, but classes meeting everyday would do the exact opposite and only leave students stressed and their mental health severely affected. 

Current Juniors and Seniors have gone through 3 program alterations in the last 3 years. It was understood why the school had to alter the program for virtual learning, as well as the shift back to in-person learning. However, we are in a post-pandemic world, and some consistency for students who are already struggling to keep up with school will make all the difference. If this program change is implemented for the 2022-23 school year, rising Seniors and Juniors won't get the chance to utilize their free time in OPTAs and electives to possibly narrow down their passions and interests, which could become future college majors and longtime careers. 

The Murrow administration claims they have a CARE act, in which students' voices are heard. But by sending out a vague form that made it seem like students had an option, when really all that was presented was a preference on how early/late they would like to attend school, Murrow students have no voice and will have to watch as the decision is made right under their noses. 

Since the school's opening in 1974, the Band-Aid schedule has been the norm for students to not only increase their interests, but to express said interests as well. 8th grade students currently applying to the school have been promised the full Murrow experience, Band-Aid and opportunities included. By cutting them at the knees to create a stuffy, 8-period schedule, this will only hurt the students more as they are being promised something in which administration cannot hold true. 

Whether you are a current student, parent of a student, alumni, or even a member of the staff/administration at the school, we need your help to continue the traditions of the Murrow community that we all know and love. Let's make them see that this decision hurts us all, in one way or another. We encourage you to not just sign this petition, but to also comment on why you support the matter of the Band-Aid staying. The more vocal we are, the better the outcome!