The classes of ‘26,’27,and ’28 knew flextime. However, it is out with the old and in with the new, Lion Period is among us. The development of Lion Period was curated by Dr. M and her team over the summer and confirmed in July. In short, the Lion Period consists of three blocks each day as a time for lunch, clubs, study time, or napping. It is essentially a period to roam around the school, despite what is suggested by the faculty and students.
During the Lion Period, areas in the school that are open for students include the Math Lab, the Writing Lab, Peer Tutoring, Burks Place, Querbes Hall, The Academic Commons, the Weight Room and Cahill Gym. However, sometimes these areas are not used for their intended purpose. For example, the Commons is supposed to be a “Quiet Study” when in fact the conversation in commons is often louder than Querbes. This misuse of these areas is often, according to Aidan Lopez, ‘27, is a “disruption and inconsiderate to the many students and faculty members that need to get their work done. It bothers me a lot and I wish the teachers were stricter about enforcing Quiet Study”.
Another key change this year relating to Lion Period is the use of cell phones. While the policy itself is pretty much the same this year, the enforcement is much stricter. Dean Curry is carefully monitoring the halls between passing periods to make sure that students’ faces are out of the screen. Dean Curry has previously stated that he “[wants] to help students be the best students they can be”. Maybe this enforcement of the cell phone policy is a part of his goal? Cell phones are only allowed to be used in the areas for chatter and lunch, Querbes Hall and Burks Place, during the Lion Period.
During the Lion Period, all teachers have their doors open for office hours unless they are monitoring other rooms. This is beneficial for students if they have last minute questions for a test in the third or fourth period or even on a specific homework assignment. This extra time avoids students having to come to school early or stay late when they are in need of assistance, and helps teachers have the ability to leave school on time. This is especially helpful when students need to make up a test and they do not have a study hall. They can simply make up their test during the Lion Period.
For some students, however, the Lion Period is not a matter of polishing off your homework, but actually a time to start assignments. Rian Martinez stated that “Lion block is the best thing that ever happened to procrastinators like myself”. Perhaps, the Lion Block is a procrastinator’s wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is a motivator to start assignments hours before they are due and not a supporter of time management.
Another benefit of the Lion Block is the ability to choose one’s lunch. The Lion Period blocks are A, B, and C, formerly the lunch blocks. During the Lion Period, you can go to lunch whenever you want, whatever day. For example, if you have a club during Lion Block C on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, you can eat during A or B on those days and A, B, or C on the others. One student, however, believes that this can be detrimental to students who are involved in many activities. The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, states that “Sometimes, I don’t even get to eat lunch. Clubs that I am committed to meet on blocks right after one another. Those days are really difficult because I do not want to miss out on my commitments but need fuel for my day”. This is a common issue but the amount allotted to club meetings is very generous. Furthermore, the day gets even shorter when there is Homeroom. Homeroom is a half hour period which varies for grades, for freshman and sophomores students meet with their homeroom teachers for thirty minutes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For juniors and seniors students meet with the teachers Tuesdays and Thursdays. Homeroom is utilized for meeting with the dean, class bonding time, grade checks, and going over school procedures in intimate settings. Homerooms are assigned for all four years so students are able to create a bond with their teacher throughout their entire high school career.
Lion Block is promoting school involvement in clubs for all grades, giving students convenient times to meet with teachers, and allowing for new connections throughout the Saint Viator community.
