West Jefferson Hills School District Announces
Schedule Changes
WRITTEN BY: JOHN ADAMS, TJHS SENIOR
I
n December, the administration announced its
proposed schedule changes to the high school
for the 2019-20 school year. Most notable of
these revisions include the implementation of
“personalized learning time” (PLT).
During this 90-minute period of time, students are free
to schedule three 30-minute activity classes including a
lunch. Every teacher is required to select a class; however,
there are no restraints to what they can offer. The teachers
will have the freedom to provide students with extra help,
create miscellaneous lessons outside of the curriculum, or
proctor any exercise they wish.
This PLT will be modeled after a similar program done at
Montour High School. This past November, myself, along
with a couple other students, visited Montour to shadow
students during their PLT and experience firsthand what
this new schedule would entail. I accompanied a student
through a yoga class, a class with access to one-on-one
assistance with his English teacher, and lunch. I observed
a relaxed, yet productive environment which benefited
both students and their teachers.
“First and foremost, I think the relationships between
teachers and students will take a different turn,” predicted
Pete Murphy, the first-year principal of TJ.
Most students at Montour appeared to have positive,
personal relationships with their teachers.
Todd Price, Montour’s principal explained, “Some of it
is about aligning teacher passion with student passion
and those two things tend to come together nicely.
That’s definitely empowering our teachers to make some
decisions.”
The faculty also seemed significantly more laid-
back than they would be in a conventional classroom
setting but not in a negative way. The instruction during
these periods is personalized and they cater directly to
the students’ desires. Students still receive traditional
schooling during their regular classes; the PLT just
provides students with extra opportunities to personalize
their education.
From a student perspective, I admired the freedom of
choice Montour students had to customize their learning
experience. “I’m a strong advocate for student choice,
student voice, and student advocacy,” Price proclaimed.
“I want my kids to be in a position where they have to
make some decisions. I think that’s a really important
part of growing up, and our PLT time affords our kids the
opportunity to do just that. It’s about making choices and
teaching kids the process that goes with that.”
Another idea the administration is discussing that
would benefit the students of TJ is a student tutoring
program. With recommendations from teachers, students
can apply to become tutors to their fellow classmates.
Students will have the option to schedule appointments
with student tutors during the PLT who will aid students
with whatever academic difficulties they are having.
There have been some grievances expressed by
students concerned about the loss of a class period.
Under this new schedule, students will have the option
to take only seven classes instead of eight. This may force
some students, particularly in the band, orchestra, and
chorus to choose between a specific class they want or
need to take and an activity they are passionate about.
Murphy answers with, “I don’t ever want to tell people
what to do, but I think it’s important that if you have
things that you’re passionate about and you love to do,
you should do them. And if that’s the choice between
something you love and a class that you think you need,
it’s important to have all the facts. Most of us aren’t going
to be accepted or denied from a college based on one
class,” Murphy said, citing college admissions officers
who spoke at a community meeting. Students may also
be presented with the opportunity to continue playing
an instrument or singing, depending on how certain
teachers decide to use their PLT time.
Through my observations at Montour and
conversations with students and principals, personalized
learning time has the potential to positively transform the
high school.
“I think the culture will start to change in a positive way
too,” added Murphy. “I think there could be a lot of great,
positive benefits from [PLT] and we’ll have to wait and see.
Obviously you can’t predict the future.”
The career field around the world is constantly evolving,
and education must adapt alongside it. The traditional
school model
revolved around
preparing kids to
work in factories
during the industrial
revolution, and it is
outdated. I applaud
the administration
for deviating from
conventional wisdom
and daring to explore
new opportunities
for their students.
With a brand new,
magnificent building
accompanied
with an ambitious,
progressive schedule,
John Adams is a senior at Thomas
I’m excited to see
Jefferson High School who will
what’s in store for
attend Syracuse University in the
my soon-to-be alma
Fall of 2019 and major in writing
mater.
and rhetoric
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
❘
SPRING 2019
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