Most Bonita Vista High (BVH) students obtain a 6th period and end their school days on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the usual dismissal time of 3:45. However recent exceptions indicate that students are not necessarily required to enroll in a period 6 class and instead have a zero period or choose to select only five class periods.
Furthermore, a specific form and procedure is required for students to complete and enable the removal of their 6th period. BVH counselor Lorena Mata explains what the forms requirements are in order for the removal to be considered.
“[BVH has] what’s called a modified student schedule form. [Students] need to fill out a form and explain their rationale of why they need to remove a course. Then they need to have their parents sign it, their counselor sign it and then it gets administration approval from the Assistant Principal, Bogart and then [principal] Lee Romero,” Mata said.
There are various reasons as to why students may request to remove a class from their schedule, however Mata explains that there are only a few valid reasons that will be accepted. This includes students in specialized programs like the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan that ensures students with disabilities receive an education and are provided the necessary support to do so.
“One of the biggest [reasons for class removal] is students having a job. When [students] have a job, students are able to remove [a period] and it’s [referred to as] internship. Another reason is special education students, students with IEPs or 504s, need certain special accommodations. Lastly is a personal reason depending on each individual’s situation,” Mata said.
Moreover, not every student has the opportunity to have a modified schedule as they must meet the specific guidelines and expectations. A key note Mata makes is that the special schedule is only offered to seniors unless there is a specific case in which the student requests five classes.
“[The schedule is open to] seniors and we don’t even make it an [open] option for juniors. If it is a junior, then it has been run through administration and through a specific case,” Mata said. “You definitely need to be on track for graduation; we often like to make sure that students have a good [Grade Point Average] GPA.”
Senior Kali Groulx who is currently under a 504 plan, was able to drop her 6th period. She further explains that she needed to have more freedom and flexibility after school and was led to fill out a student schedule form.
“[On the student form] you had to check the reason why you needed to [drop your 6th period]. [It has to be] a 504 plan, an IEP, babysitting or a job,” Groulx said. “For me it was a 504 [plan] and it’s because I wanted more time to study and more time to do things after school.”
Groulx explains the many benefits that come from not having a 6th period and having an earlier dismissal. Her increased time afterschool has allowed for more personal time and Groulx to attend to her many other responsibilities.
“I feel like it’s easier to have a 4.0 [GPA when I don’t have a 6th period] because there’s less to work on, you have more time to do homework and study, so you won’t fall behind,” Groulx said.
Sharing similar sentiments with Groulx, Mata understands the reason students choose to drop their 6th period and expresses that not having a 6th period does pose benefits for students.
“It’s always nice to get off of school early. Even adults get off work early; it gives you a little excitement, motivates you for the rest of the day, so I get it,” Mata said. “Socially, it allows them to have more free time with their friends. Academically it really takes a load off for students. Some [classes] can be overwhelming, so it does eliminate that for some [students].”
Although there is an option for a modified schedule, Mata believes that having six periods is beneficial not only for academic reasons, but also for the sake of growth as an individual. She expresses that choosing not to take six periods is a missed opportunity.
“I’m a true believer of trying to have six periods. You are only going to get this high school opportunity once. Getting involved, taking courses that you may not usually take is a great opportunity in high school, because once you leave here, you’re out in the real world. Having six periods is something that I encourage students to have,” Mata said.
Signing and submitting a student schedule form is only required if a student drops a class to remove it from their schedule completely, thus only having 5 periods. However, the alternative for an earlier dismissal is taking a zero period. BVH senior Junalene Nunez is currently enrolled in a zero period due to dropping the International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class to free up her 6th period.
“I was able to get out of having a 6th [period] by applying to have a zero period since I was a part of the IB Diploma [Program]. My 6th period was reserved for TOK, but since I [dropped TOK] my 6th period just became [free],” Nunez said.
Like Groulx, Nunez decided to drop her 6th period to open up time for schoolwork and for herself, time that she would’ve otherwise not have been able to get. She believes that this extra time was necessary for her success academically and in her responsibilities outside of school.
“I chose to have no 6th period mainly because as a kid in band, 6th period is the break in between rehearsal and school. I feel like with all the other things I have to do outside of school, I need that extra time before rehearsal and band that I might not have at home and to also have time for myself,” Nunez said.
