In support of the decision
In previous semesters, students who wished to make changes to their schedules for the upcoming semester would be able to log into Class Choice for a period of time to adjust their schedules as they please. This year, the administration has chosen to take a different approach when it comes to student schedules: a Google form.
Some may remember that before school started this year, the counseling office was utilizing a Google form system to allow students to submit their requested changes that they were unable to complete themselves via Class Choice. This system was somewhat difficult to use because many students have more than one issue that needs resolving and with each class that needs adjusting, a new form has to be filled out and submitted.
Personally, I do not have any major problems with Class Choice. But when it opens up, I am not at ease with the idea that I will be able to make the needed adjustments to my schedule because some of the time, I am not able to. I feel that I am constantly competing with other students for spots in classes with popular teachers and trying to be able to spend an hour of the day with a friend. I find that although a Google form does not allow one all of the freedom with adjustments that they are able to make with Class Choice, it eliminates some of the stress and competition of fighting for classes.
I think that Class Choice is a good system to use for the first semester because that time is when the majority of schedule adjustments will be taking place for both first and second semester. But for the second semester, a Google form is not the most inconvenient mode of communication between the counseling office and students when it comes to schedules. Google forms allow students to clearly state what classes they need adjusted and for what reason. With the use of Class Choice, students do not even have to ability to make all the changes they may wish to anyway. Some examples of this situation are switching to or from AP classes, class level changes, and locked classes such as music or Advanced Writing for Publications. I have found that in my personal experience with having to adjust my schedule it usually falls under one of those categories anyway, so I am unable to make adjustments myself using Class Choice and have to go through the counseling office. This semester, the changes I need to make have to do with locked classes and a missing class, both problems that would be handled through the counseling office.
Of course, with any situation, there are extenuating circumstances as to why one may want to adjust their schedule freely. One of these situations is for mental health reasons. If someone needs to switch in or out of classes because they know it would be better for them mentally to be with a certain teacher or with a different group of people or any other reason, it would be nice for that person to be able to make the changes they need to without submitting multiple forms.
Overall, I personally do not have an issue with using a Google form for making schedule adjustments for the second semester. I always felt stressed out and rushed using Class Choice; I believe that by using the Google form, my requests will be seen and handled with the proper communication.
Jeff Tolar
Name: Jeff Tolar
Position: Janitor
1. What did the first week of school closure look like for the janitorial staff?
“When I started hearing on the news about the virus, I and [other] coworkers started doing minor disinfecting which gave us a head start on what was going to happen. The 1st week we were closed we went through every room and wiped everything down, and after that, we began our regular cleaning. The day before we were told to stay home we went through again and disinfected one more time.”
2. How do you think this outbreak will affect procedures for the school in years to come?
“I don’t think our regular routine will change much, but I hope we can get newer equipment and somehow get back to (or near) the coverage we used to have.”
3. What have you done to prepare for the closure of school until next year?
“Not much has been done yet. Since the stay at home order, I have been the only one coming in and that is mostly once a week to check the building for any issues and disinfect any areas that may have been used. Once the stay at home order is lifted, we will start our summer cleaning procedures.”
4. How has your job as janitor changed so far, and what do you think it will look like next year?
“The only near change I see is our crew paying more attention to high touch areas. As for next year, my hope is new equipment and less of a turnover rate with employees.”
5. Do you feel more appreciated during this time?
“I think there has been more concern versus appreciation. We have always felt appreciated!”
6. Has this pandemic brought the janitorial staff closer together? Do you feel a sense of “we’re in this together” as a staff?
“I believe we were always close! We have always jumped in with both feet as a team whenever there is a need. I am blessed with an awesome group of hardworking coworkers!!!”
7. Has anything ever prepared you for something like this? Do you think this will influence more places/companies to hire janitors now that sanitation has become such a talking point?
“I was involved in a similar situation with the SARS virus some years back. It wasn’t as intense as this one, but I think that experience better prepared me for this one.”
8. Are there any cleaning tips you can share for those at home?
“Disinfect your home once a week at a minimum. If you have anything delivered (even your regular mail), wipe it down before handling it, and wash your hands a lot. I pray daily that our students and staff stay healthy!!!”