There is a proposed change to scheduling for the 2022-2023 school year that would have students taking only 4 classes per semester. This scheduling change has many ramifications, mostly in cultural arts programs (e.g. orchestra, band, etc.) and AP classes.

Impacts:

Greater learning loss if absent due to longer classes: Having longer class periods means that students will miss more instruction when they are absent from school.

Learning loss of up to 13 months between classes: Students taking a course in the fall semester have an entire semester without instruction before having to take a test or exam in the spring on it. This is especially a problem for AP courses since AP exams are only offered at certain times. There is also a loss of continuity in classes with a gap of a semester between courses, especially in math and science classes.

Difficulty learning a foreign language in a single semester: Taking a foreign language class for just a semester would not be an easy task, since learning things like that take a lot of time to master.

Reduced access to Cultural Arts Programs: Students are unable to participate in assessments, competitions, trips, regional/state events, and more if they are only in class for half a year. Many students cannot afford having private lessons in the semester that they are not in class, which can have many effects on their ability to do what they would be doing in the class. There are also fewer opportunities for advanced Arts classes because of the scheduling limitations of this 4x4 schedule.

Another Schedule Change: Lynchburg City Schools has had schedule changes every year for the last few years, switching to the block scheduling and cohorts in the 2020-2021 school year, and now block scheduling 5 days a week for the 2021-2022 school year. Having another schedule change right after this one will throw students off even more than they already are.

What Can Be Done:

E.C. Glass and Heritage High School Administration, Lynchburg City Schools Administration, and the Lynchburg City School Board should not allow this schedule change to be implemented. Sign this petition, contact the school board, district administrators, and school administrators, and let them know that this schedule change is not something that we want to see in our schools.

Contact Information for School Board Members and Administration:

Lynchburg City School Board Members

E.C. Glass High School Administration

Heritage High School Administration

Lynchburg City Schools Superintendent

**Adapted from original by Lindley Crosby. Original copy circulated by Amorie Dop**