Clarkston schools? new trimester schedule meant earlier exams for junior and senior high school students.
Instead of two exams, before Christmas and summer breaks, exams are now three times a year, in November, March, and June.
‘The kids did really well,? said junior high school Principal Shaun Ryan. ‘We’ve had an incredibly smooth transition due to the amount of work we did before implementation. We wanted to do it right.?
Clarkston Junior High School PTA helped with the trimester transition by providing apple juice, health bars, and breakfast cookies to students on exam day, Nov. 21.
‘I can’t say enough about the support of our PTA and community support,? Ryan said.
In the new system, the school day includes five classes, instead of six. Classes are longer, 72 minutes instead of 55.
For Erin Shaw, language arts teacher, the first trimester went fast.
‘We got a lot accomplished,? Shaw said. ‘I like the longer class periods. It’s easier to do different activities.?
The extra time allows students to complete reading, writing, and activity assignments.
‘We get a lot done for less homework,? said student Caleb Jenkins.
‘We take fewer classes, which means more free time, in a way,? said classmate Cormin Nastasa.
? Phil Custodio