What are Y and Z blocks? It’s a question that has stumped many of Belmont Hill’s greatest intellectuals since their institution just weeks ago. On Sunday, September 17, Will Walton ‘25 wrote, “Drawing and painting club in Ms. Bradley’s room at Y block tomorrow. I don’t know when Y block is but be there.” I think that pretty much sums up the student body’s sentiments regarding this abrupt schedule change.
As I understand it (but I probably still don’t), the old 1:35 period has become Y Block. Often clubs will meet during this time or students can grab their first or second lunch. Z Block is more of the same, taking the place of the old 2:15 period. The only difference I see is that these blocks will now have official names: there is no change other than the nomenclature and giving random bells that will sound at 2:10 and 2:15.
Changes to the Upper School deal more with the required sit-down lunch period, which occurs during X Block on Tuesdays and at 1:40 on Thursdays. Therefore, there is no longer a Tuesday or Thursday X, which I and many others find frustrating. Many teachers are not available at 1:35 or 2:15 for extra help because of Middle School sports commitments – so why the change? It should be noted that on Thursdays, the only opportunity to get extra help is at Z Block, at 2:15. The maximum number of chances for extra help on Thursdays is twice: at Z Block or if your free period is on Thursday and the desired teacher is also available at that free period – which is statistically unlikely. Juxtapose this with Mondays and Fridays, when you could have up to four periods to meet with your teacher – X, Y, Z, and your free block. This is not to mention that Friday is quite often a test day and students like to review with their teacher the day before a test.
The fact that we just skip Y Block on Thursdays and go straight to Z Block doesn’t help students understand the already overcomplicated schedule. So my question is – why? I simply do not understand what needed to be changed from the previous system.
Sincerely,
A confused student
