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by Caden Clawson
Video Editor
Students and teachers are struggling to determine how to use advisory and flex appropriately. After first period, from 9:30 to 10:00, students have advisory on Monday and flex on Tuesday through Thursday. What this time is used for is not consistent or agreed upon among the people of NS.
“Honestly I think advisory is kinda pointless,” said sophomore Dally Bailey. “I feel like it’s hard because it’s not quite flex, so it’s hard to go get help from teachers and help with certain stuff, depending on who your advisor is. I just feel like they give us busy work in there.”
Many students don’t like advisory because they don’t get much done and they can’t choose where to go. When used correctly, though, some teachers feel it’s effective.
“I think it’s good if used properly, because it’s a designated time when kids should be looking at their grades, so there shouldn’t be any surprises at the end of the quarter,” said teacher Cheryl Hadley.
Advisory also gives students a teacher that they can go to for help.
“I think advisory, if it’s done properly, I think it gives the kids a connection,” Hadley said. “At least somebody is looking at their grades each week with them or making sure they are looking. I think that’s important.”
Several students reported that teachers don’t do what they are supposed to do in advisory.
“I don’t want to call my advisor out, but—no,” Bailey said. “We don’t do what we need to.”
Even students whose teachers do what they are supposed to do still feel that advisory is a waste of time. Eighty-two percent of students say advisory isn’t valuable, compared to only 6 percent who think flex isn’t valuable. Students prefer flex over advisory for multiple reasons, like the freedom to choose where you go.
“I feel like it’s good to have an option,” Bailey said. “If you do need help with homework the option to go somewhere is good, so you can go to a different class and get help.”
During flex time, students can talk to friends, do homework, or do work for clubs or other extracurricular activities.
“I don’t mind it,” sophomore Beto Tapia, “It’s just kinda nice. You can go wherever. Most of the time I just go to Sadler’s to play chess because I am part of the chess club.”
Flex is also an important time for students involved in extracurricular activities to stay caught up on their work.
“I also think it gives those who are involved in a lot of sports, activities before and after school time to have a chance to do it,” Hadley said.
Many students enjoy and count on flex for the time it gives them.
“I’ve had several students that will say they like the flex,” Hadley said. “They know they’re behind on a test or quiz and they find out we have an assembly or something and they’re like, ‘Ugh, dang, I was going to do this.’ They kinda plan on that time so I think it depends on the student a lot.”
Some students say they can’t get the help they need during flex, so it’s not beneficial for them.
“When there’s a lot of students in the classes you need help in,” said junior Michelle Lee, “there are a lot of distractions for you and the teacher so it’s hard to get the help you need.”
Some students also leave during flex when they should be in class.
“I know I have students that won’t come unless they’re assigned and even then they still don’t come,” Hadley said. “That’s their choice.”
Some students wish to take flex and advisory out of the schedule and get out of school half an hour early instead.
“I think that if we did have the option to get out of school half an hour earlier I’d be down to do that instead of having to be at school for another half hour,” Bailey said.
Another change students would make is to change advisory into more of a flex period.
“I feel like in advisory, you could check in with your advisor, check your grades, and then go to any classes you need,” said junior Hannah Nelson. “You could just talk to your advisor and they could say ‘maybe you should go to this class’ and maybe it’d be more effective.”
