The last two weeks of school, students enjoyed three, rather than four, lunch shifts.  This change was to “prep” for the PREP program beginning next year.

Linganore joins most other FCPS high schools who already have in-school study time. PREP time will be between second and third periods.  The study time, called PREP, stands for Preparation Resources Enrichment and Planning. This program is not new because at New Market Middle and Windsor Knolls Middle Schools, students already had a designated “Lancer Time” or “ELT.”

In 2016-2017, students will have five class periods instead of four and three lunch shifts instead of four.  PREP is replacing advisement. During this time, students will go to their designated PREP teacher every day for attendance and announcements, and from there, students can be dismissed to other teachers if students need extra help in that class or to make up assignments.

During this PREP time, the Media Center will be open for students to work on projects for class. Also, Mrs. Tracey Cassidy and Mrs. Cheryl Novotny will be holding PARCC Test and test tutoring for students who need to pass these tests or for make ups.

Along with the schedule changes, every Friday will be a club day, but it will rotate club meetings so that students go to the club or clubs once a month.

The School Culture and Climate committee, headed by Mr. Andrew McWilliams, has been working on this idea all year.   Special education teachers Mrs.Traci Davies, and Mrs.Stephanie Bindle are strong supporters of this schedule change.

Mrs.Davies said, “I am very excited for the implementation of PREP! PREP will provide an opportunity for smaller, more focused instruction for students who may need additional learning time or for those students who want to extend their learning to a higher level.”

Some students are not happy with this change because there are only three lunch shifts, which means a crowded lunch area and long lunch lines.

Class of 2019 member Nadia Apia says, “I think that it is going to be hard to get used to, and lunches will be louder than they are now.”

Along with the new schedule means a change in the amount of time between classes. The students will now have four minutes instead of five.

Junior, Shylo Arneson doesn’t think that four minutes is enough time. Others agree.

Along with these negatives, there are huge positive: more study time and time to do independent work.

Many of the rising seniors think that this schedule will be a great change. It gives a lot of students time to get homework done in school. It is a huge advantage to athletes to get their work done in school instead of having to stay up late after practices and work on homework.

Junior track member Olivia Wolfe is excited to spend her PREP time getting her homework out of the way.

Lancers are excited for the new start for the 2016-2017 school year.