Stop MBHS from adopting a permanent all-period schedule 2027-2028
The Issue
My name is Cody, and I am a student at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. I'm writing this petition because I believe the proposed permanent all-period schedule for the 2027-2028 school year will profoundly and negatively impact the student body, and our voices must be heard before a decision is made.
For years, Montgomery Blair High School has operated on a block schedule, which allowed students to focus deeply on fewer subjects per day and manage their time effectively. This structure provided the flexibility and mental breaks essential for maintaining productivity and well-being. However, the recent decision to adopt an all-period schedule permanently will disrupt this balance. Under the new schedule, students will need to attend all classes every day, leaving little room for in-depth learning, homework, rest, or extracurricular activities.
Research consistently demonstrates that excessive daily schedules can lead to increased stress and diminished academic performance among high school students. For instance, studies published by the American Psychological Association highlight that students subjected to packed schedules experience significant stress, which adversely affects their mental health and academic outcomes. The proposed schedule overlooks these crucial insights and seems to prioritize breadth over depth, potentially compromising the quality of education.
Moreover, a rigid all-period schedule can disproportionately affect students involved in extracurricular activities or those who require more time for family responsibilities or part-time work. For many of us, these activities are vital for our personal development and essential for college applications, community engagement, and real-world skills building. Losing the flexibility to dedicate time to these pursuits can severely curtail our opportunities for growth.
Please join me in urging the Montgomery Blair High School administration to reconsider this change. We need to protect the interests of students and ensure a balanced, effective educational environment that bridges the gap between academic requirements and individual well-being.
Sign this petition to stand against the permanent all-period schedule and advocate for an educational system that respects our needs and aspirations.
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The Issue
My name is Cody, and I am a student at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. I'm writing this petition because I believe the proposed permanent all-period schedule for the 2027-2028 school year will profoundly and negatively impact the student body, and our voices must be heard before a decision is made.
For years, Montgomery Blair High School has operated on a block schedule, which allowed students to focus deeply on fewer subjects per day and manage their time effectively. This structure provided the flexibility and mental breaks essential for maintaining productivity and well-being. However, the recent decision to adopt an all-period schedule permanently will disrupt this balance. Under the new schedule, students will need to attend all classes every day, leaving little room for in-depth learning, homework, rest, or extracurricular activities.
Research consistently demonstrates that excessive daily schedules can lead to increased stress and diminished academic performance among high school students. For instance, studies published by the American Psychological Association highlight that students subjected to packed schedules experience significant stress, which adversely affects their mental health and academic outcomes. The proposed schedule overlooks these crucial insights and seems to prioritize breadth over depth, potentially compromising the quality of education.
Moreover, a rigid all-period schedule can disproportionately affect students involved in extracurricular activities or those who require more time for family responsibilities or part-time work. For many of us, these activities are vital for our personal development and essential for college applications, community engagement, and real-world skills building. Losing the flexibility to dedicate time to these pursuits can severely curtail our opportunities for growth.
Please join me in urging the Montgomery Blair High School administration to reconsider this change. We need to protect the interests of students and ensure a balanced, effective educational environment that bridges the gap between academic requirements and individual well-being.
Sign this petition to stand against the permanent all-period schedule and advocate for an educational system that respects our needs and aspirations.
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Petition created on September 17, 2026