Downey High School has altered its Wednesday school schedule. Starting Nov. 4, students will attend fourth-period virtual classes from 8:30-9 a.m., similar to having homeroom. Teachers will now have office hours on Wednesdays from 9:10-10:10 a.m. and time will be dedicated from 10:15 a.m. to 12:00 pm for students to receive academic tutoring, virtual clubs, emotional support, etc. Lunch will be half an hour from 12:00 pm to 12:30 p.m. and students have the rest of the day off from school.

Kelsey Simpson, Downey High’s assistant principal, said that the goal for the schedule was to help out students and teachers in multiple ways. The staff worked incredibly hard and long to modify a schedule fitting school guidelines and provide students with the time they need to receive help from teachers.

“The new Pilot Wednesday schedule’s intent is to benefit both students and teachers. This new schedule allows students to visit all of their teachers during office hours and also give them time to access all of the different resources that are available,” said Simpson. “To make a change at a school-wide level is a process that began at the end of September/early October. We had to ask all stakeholders involved, organize the time, research other schools, make sure we were meeting all state law and guidelines, and get the schedule approved by the district and the teachers’ union before we could implement it on November 4th.”

AP European History teacher, Stephen Sanders, is pleased with the change in schedule for both teachers and students. He believes it will be beneficial for both groups in terms of time management and completing work.

“I found the short meetings with 6 classes to be a bit pointless as time went on. I didn’t have enough time to really do anything meaningful those days,” Sanders said. “I think students can focus their attention on subjects that require more of their attention. The extra time that they can spend with challenging subjects can help the student, and the teachers can work with these kids in time to make an impact before semesters grades are looming.”

Downey High School sophomore, Maya Martinez, thinks the change of schedule will help students with getting work done and their mental health. She says that many students have gone through much pressure with school and hopefully the change will be a step to improve their situation. It is also alleviating to not have multiple classes going on, and she said her Wednesdays were quite hectic.

“I’ve had so many assignments and I really think I can get my work done faster with the new schedule,” Martinez said. “Not only myself but lots of students will agree that it gives the opportunity to have a break and focus on ourselves emotionally.”

Students and staff both hope it will be a chance to help everyone at Downey High School and bring optimism to the campus. Teachers can give their students the attention they need and students can receive lots of resources.