From the bell, to your phone, to new staff, it looks like there will be some adjustments for next school year.

West Milford High School will be operating on a new 9 period day beginning in fall.

Some will see this as a positive step, but others will view it negatively. Many students are already complaining, while others are indifferent. This seems to be the case with most major changes, whether it is in education, jobs, your home life, or something else. Half the people like it, while the other half don’t.

Up until now, the school has been operating on an eight period day, typically seven classes and a lunch. However, recent years have found some students unable to fit in all of their desired elective courses, such as perhaps a piano or guitar class, or that AP Stats or AP Anatomy and Physiology or even financial literacy, which is a state requirement.

This meant that some students enrolled in a full eight classes and skipped their lunch.

Lots of teachers and students did not find this to be the best choice. Many kids were hungry throughout the day, finding themselves unable to eat in any of their other classrooms, maybe because of lab rules or teacher preference.

Some athletes went all day from breakfast until after practice around dinner time to be able to eat, sometimes leaving them lightheaded or feeling weak, or even just hangry.

One of the goals of a nine period day is so all the students can fit in the courses they want to take in order to b competitive for colleges, but also be able to eat, have some downtime, relax with friends and just not be learning or mentally “on” for eight hours a day.

Personally, I think things were fine just the way they were. I believe it would be better to keep the eight period day and still make lunch optional.

I understand that lunch is important, but if it meant that much to some students, they could still find a class to eat in, and those kids could still take an eighth course to prepare them for the future.

Not everyone needs to take an extra class instead of a lunch an I just don’t know what other classes there will be, when they are going to be, or how this is all going to work. But, we were reportedly falling behind in graduation credits, so we will have nine classes next year, eight periods plus lunch-no matter what.

Another change is the phone ban. Students and parents argue that they need phones during an emergency. The problem is that devices vibrate and ring, which causes distractions. It will only make the situation worse. In class, phones are often a distraction. Students are seen checking social media or texting friends instead of listening to the teacher, and their grades suffer.

This is also not just going to be WMHS; it is supposed to be in the entire state.

Not having phones during class is one thing, however, it is debatable whether we should have our phones during lunch or free periods when we are not actively doing schoolwork.

Sometimes a teacher even asks you to use your phone for class, to look something up or take a picture just because it’s faster.

One question I have is, where would we put them? In the same plastic wall holders? In the front of the room? In a box all together or in one of the pouches that locks? We don’t know yet which is part of the issue, not bad or good, but just because we want to know.

There are a variety of opinions, regarding these changes, but it is important to consider the benefits of a phone-free environment. This could promote positive social relationships between students and/or teacher, better grades, maybe even better behavior, or it could make people uncomfortable and angry.

I am in the middle; I see both positives and negatives, so I guess we will just have to see what the 2026-2027 school year brings.

Finally, on a sad note, the new year will mean we say goodbye to our beloved, Mr.Matthew Strianse, as he will be moving to Apshawa School. We thank him for all he has done for WMHS, and we wish him well in his new job, though we will miss him immensely. Good luck.

Mr.Bill Kane of Maple Road will be taking Mr.Strianse’s place. We welcoming him to the Highlander family.