This petition challenges the LJCDS Upper School Administration's plans to implement a new schedule for the Upper School this upcoming school year (Fall 2021-Spring 2022) that will cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for the student body. It is a poorly designed schedule that acts to the detriment of students, rather than to their benefit. In contrast, the schedule we've had for the past year has been highly beneficial to the student body and should continue to be implemented. 

Below is a highlight of a few of the many benefits of the current schedule (in bold) implemented this past school year (Fall 2020-Spring 2021) in comparison with the planned schedule: 

Later Start and Earlier Dismissal: 8:30am vs. 8:15am, 3:00pm vs. 3:05pm. Later start times help boost students' moods, memory, and focus (and immune systems) since they allow students to get more sleep. An earlier dismissal means students have more time to get to their after school activities. 

Less Classes Per Day: 3 classes per day vs 4-5 classes per day; 2 days to do homework between classes vs 1-2 days to do homework between classes. Less classes per day means students can focus more on their classes for the day, and more time between classes means less stress. *Additionally, each class meets 3 times in a row 1-2 times a cycle in the planned schedule; this means that students will have to worry about finishing their homework the next day for 2 days in a row, up to 2 times a cycle, for each class. 

More Free Blocks: 5 free blocks per week vs. 3-4 free blocks per week. More free blocks means more time to get homework done during school. 

More Predictable & Convenient: Conveniently alternates between A and E days with predictable block lengths and times vs. rotates in an overly complicated cycle with less predictable block lengths and time. A more predictable and convenient schedule means greater peace of mind for students. 

That's not even the tip of the iceberg, but as you can see, our current Upper School schedule is predictable, convenient and enjoyable, while the planned schedule will be unnecessarily stressful, complicated and unenjoyable for students. The vast majority of students think that the schedule we had this past year was great, arguably one of the best we've had. Why change what already works?

LJCDS Upper School administration, if you truly care about your students, please keep the schedule that we've had for the past year!