We have a 25-minute longer-school day than we had last year. The increase in the length of the school day was placed in the morning instead of the afternoon to avoid interference with athletics. Besides, most of the school arrived before 8:30 in the morning anyway.
The reason the school day was lengthened lies in certain rules of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, of which Henry Grady is a member. Conforming to the rules of the Southern Association is important because our subjects are not accredited to colleges unless we are a member of the Southern Association. The Southern Association has ruled that physics, chemistry, human biology, general biology, general science, all homemaking courses, typing, print, woodshop, and mechanical drawing--all these subjects will give one-half unit per semester provided the periods are 56 minutes length net.
By increasing the length of the school day and by cutting off every minute of time elsewhere, the school has been able to have 56-minute periods. Thus, we can give a half unit per semester for such subjects as print, wood, mechanical drawing, typing, and homemaking. Also, we are thus able to give one-half unit to all science classes without having a laboratory period.
What are the advantages to the lengthened school day? Students get full credit for all courses taken. The fact that there are no laboratory periods for science means that all who are eligible can now take five subjects. Students may now have study halls which enable them to complete more of their work at school. Students can now take foreign languages and sciences along with such other courses as band, military and athletics.
What are the disadvantages of the longer school day? Of course students have to get to school earlier. Then, it was necessary to cut the lunch period from 30 minutes to 25 minutes. The first few days there were some who were unable to get lunches in this time. Now, however, all are being served in the time allotted. Most of the difficulty at the first of the semester was a lack of balance between the two cafeterias and between the two recesses.
While there have been some objections to these changes, which were city-wide, most students have gone along with the idea knowing that they could get better subject elections and more credit by the new way. At least, we can reserve judgement until we see how it works.
Sub-Freshman Deserve Praise; Get Criticism
Blamed for everything! Praised for nothing! We often wonder how we stood
our sub-freshman year. The uncalled for noise in assemblies, the trash in
the halls, or the confusion on the stairs are all classified by most upper-
classmen as sub-freshman troubles. Yet these mites really do deserve a note
of praise along with the chords of slander. It is a long jump from their
local alma maters to the hall of the Knights, and most make the change pretty
well. If we dare say so, most conform to changes better than their armoured
elders. Why, just today it was the ebbing and flowing tide of newcomers
that guided us safely through the new tray return set up in the cafeteria,
just as we were about to go stumbling over our past course.