Starting with the 2015-16 school year, incoming San Benito High School freshmen will not have the option of taking an off-block, which allows them to leave school after lunch every other day. An off block replaces an elective but only can be an option if a student takes a zero period. Incoming freshmen can still take a zero period, which means they would have seven classes instead of six, which could help them accrue extra class credits.
Chelsey Cameron, an incoming freshman next year, said she does not like the idea of missing out on the off block. “I was planning on taking off block next year. Off block would have been a huge help to me because I would be playing sports, and doing my homework when I had off block,” said Cameron. “I believe the only good thing about not having the option is I get to sleep in every day.”
Incoming freshman Edgar Barbosa said he, too, is not happy about not having the off-block option. “I was going to take off block and I do think the good part about this change is you will be able to get more credits,” he said.
Not only is this change affecting students who wanted to take an off block but it’s also affecting some parents’ and older sibling’s schedules. Mayvene Molina, an incoming freshman next year, has an older sibling who is going to be a sophomore next year.
“I don’t live close to the high school and my brother is taking an off block next year, so my mom or dad will have to drive into town to pick him up and then come back into town and pick me up. This could waste a lot of gas and time,” said Molina.
The new rules will also affect student athletes. “My brother and I both play soccer and with practices and games throughout the year,” Molina said. “We will have to drive into town and back to the house numerous times if one of us has off and the other doesn’t my mom or dad will have to bring my brother back to practice after he had been home and it is just going to be a mess.”
Incoming freshman Jacob Burley said, “I like the idea of an off block so I could go home before sports and get ready and eat, but the perks about it are there will not be kids around town disturbing people during the day,” he said.