During the 2020-2021 school year, district 204 implemented a block schedule as an attempt to make online learning accessible for teachers and students. Looking back, this schedule not only made online learning for students easier, but it made completing assignments and participating in multiple activities more accessible for students. 

This schedule consisted of 4 classes, each 90 minutes, per day. Since these class periods were longer, teachers could cover more material in one day and the school day was over around noon. This means students could focus on school in the morning and then head off to work, an activity, or since this was during quarantine watch over a younger sibling. 

Now, we are back in school and many teachers and students miss the convenience of having a block schedule. Beginning the school day at 7:25 and ending at 2:25 does not allow for a lot of extra time to work, do other activities, and on top of that complete homework assignments. District 204 should reintroduce this block schedule as a way to meet the needs of a majority of the students who need extra time to get things done.