Changes to H-1 H-Block

• November 19, 2021

By Angela Mac

STAFF WRITER

Andover High School students express their dislike towards H-1 H-Block, which encourages faculty to make changes. 

Some students wish they could have more time to do homework. They also want the freedom to choose what teachers and people could meet in the same H-Block. This would allow students to meet with teachers and peers, as well as hold club meetings.

AHS junior Ryan Swenson expressed his frustration with the block. “The H1 teachers always have some weird assignment for us that no one actually does,” he said.

Many others agree that the bonding activities are a waste of time. 

However, what students don’t know is that changes to H-1 are already happening. There is a small H-Block planning team that asked a few students what they wanted most for future H-Blocks. 

Some students have offered some ideas for changes that could be made. Rajswami Kontham, a sophomore at AHS, said that he wishes students “had more time to complete work in H-1 alongside classroom activities.” This was the most common theme throughout the student body. 

During H-1 on Tuesday, November 2,  instead of the normal curriculum, students were given time to get last-minute assignments done before the end of term one. This independent period goes by the name Bee You, inspired by worker bees. 

“Some people might want to work on homework and just do a lot of work. Where others may want to give themselves some time to reflect,”  said Assistant Principal Kwesi Moody. The H-Block planning team plans to implement Bee You in future H-1 H-Blocks. 

As AHS neared the end of the first term, students went over their grades and concerns with their H-1 teachers before the term ended. H-1 teachers helped students get in touch with the teachers they needed to see. 

 Currently, a goal of H-1 H-Blocks is to meet the needs of each student. For example, H-1 aims to help freshmen familiarize themselves with the faculty members and the school, especially after transitioning from middle school. They will have their H-1 teacher for all four years at AHS, giving them an opportunity to connect with that teacher. H-1 gives all students a time and place to get themselves organized for the next cycle. There are also learning activities that take place during H1, such as ALICE training, fire drills, and more. During this time, H-1 teachers may go over important events and announcements. 

In addition, H-1 is a place where students can discuss recent issues and other important lessons. Some students have come to their H-1 teacher for both mental and academic support. For many, it is a safe space.

Social worker Abby Levins stated that students “have to think about the overall school environment and community, and the school’s need to have a sense of community and spirit so that everyone gets along well.”