4 minute read
Final(s) countdown
The final(s) counTdown
This year, finals week is scheduled for Jan. 13-15. teachers have had to change how they go about In order to account for the required number teaching to accommodate everyone in a hybrid - of educational hours mandated by the state and now distance - classroom. of Kansas, first semester will extend after winter “[During hybrid,] I just teach with the in-person break, leaving students with a 12 day hiatus from people, and then the people at home watch a video,” an educational environment before they prepare for Williams said. “I like that because then I can be finals week. more personable with the people in front of me,
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Math teacher Randi Williams said the entire and otherwise I’d be like ‘there’s too much going school year has been full of new experiences, so on,’ so I feel like I’ve built a better environment in finals will just be one more obstacle to tackle. the classroom because it’s kind of cozy, as opposed
“I think it probably would have been better in to me being all over the place.”
December, but I understand why it’s in January,” O’Connell said she also enjoyed the hybrid
Williams said. “Honestly, it might be kind of cool to learning experience because she enjoyed the see new things in January, just to see that retention downtime that comes with at-home learning. over time; see if we remembered it from what we “I like the variation of going to school a couple did in December.” days and maybe waking up early and having a
Freshman Kayla O’Connell will be taking her schedule, and then I like it being a little more lowfirst high school finals this January, but she said key the next couple of days and being able to sleep because of the Coronavirus, she isn’t as prepared in and just relax a little bit more,” O’Connell said. this year as she would like to be. The school district releases learning modes one
“In eighth grade we were supposed to take month at a time, which has been met with mixed mock finals and we never got to because of COVID, reviews from students and teachers. Williams and I just feel like we might not be as prepared,” enjoys knowing the schedule for an entire month
O’Connell said. “I don’t know if we’re going to be is set in stone, even if she can only plan one month taking them at home possibly; I really don’t know out. what to expect.” “It’s been nice to know the full month is going
Even students who have taken finals before to be a certain way, so I’ve really enjoyed that,” are limited in ways they can prepare for this year. Williams said. “It’s been OK just because we know
Senior Ben Hansen said he expects less pressure to as teachers not to plan too much so that we know, come along with the new date for finals. ‘hey, we need to stop planning at this day,’ so it’s
“I expect them to be easier than the finals I’ve good to have that timeline.” taken my previous years of high school because of However, for students juggling multiple online learning,” Hansen said. “I think the classes in activities, one month is not enough foresight in the general have been easier this year, so I think finals schedule. will be the same.” “That’s really frustrating trying to figure out my
Hansen said he has been less motivated to do work schedule when I don’t know what days I’m anything school-related this year, so he doesn’t going to be at school,” Hansen said. “That is very plan to study over his winter break. frustrating.”
“I mean if you think about it, the finals in O’Connell said the late start to the school year
January are one week after we’ve been back, so is still being felt by the freshman class, so delaying what are they going to do in one week?” Hansen finals was a necessary step to off-set the October said. “I don’t get it; they should just do it before start to school. winter break.” “I’m still learning my way around to classes and
The format for school has been fluid all year, so stuff, and that usually, I’m sure, wouldn’t be the
With new schedule implemented, final exams to occur after winter break
scenario in a normal year,” O’Connell said. “I think it was a very good decision, they definitely needed to move [finals] back since we started so late.”
The math department, along with many others, has had to eliminate certain parts of the curriculum to keep from falling behind this year. Delaying finals week gives about two more weeks of learning time before the first semester ends.
Even though some students are concerned about finals occurring after winter break, the decision to move finals allows for more time to learn the material and make up for the delayed start to the school year.
| keithansharp
