In February, Roosevelt High School administrators confirmed that 10th grade block periods will be discontinued for the 2022-23 school year and beyond. This decision was made after Advanced Placement Human Geography was removed from course offerings and replaced by a semester of 10th grade Ethnic Studies World History.
While 10th grade blocks are no longer a part of scheduling, Roosevelt social studies teacher Michael Magidman says, “There will [still] be 9th grade blocks for social studies and English for the 2022-2023 school year.”
Magidman says he believes the way “We structure and schedule our day with six periods is too fragmented and overwhelming. And having blocks … allows for this element of community within that fragmented structure … especially for freshmen as they’re transitioning to high school.”
When asked about the future of 9th grade blocks, Assistant Principal Jessica Proctor says she believes they will continue to be part of the schedule planning beyond the 2022-23 school year.
With 9th grade blocks here to stay for the foreseeable future, Magidman says, “[Block periods] put … everybody together and doesn’t track the classes based on AP or honors or this or that, but everyone’s together, and that there’s a real community.”
