By Nina Lin

I interviewed Dr. Porter about the changes that will be happening in 2016-17.

Q: What will change for 2016-17?

A: The schedule will increase the day by 15 minutes with school starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.

Q: What does Paideia mean?

A: Paideia is a Greek word referring to the rearing and educating of youth in the ideals of the beautiful and the good.

Q: What is Paideia?

A: It is additional time, along with making all passing periods five minutes long, that will allow us to have a 25-minute period immediately after lunch when students can get tutoring help from teachers, get a head start on their homework, or opt to run off some energy in organized physical activity on the basketball court or field. Other special meetings, assemblies, college counseling, and enrichment activities may also be scheduled from time to time during this time period.

Q: Any additional changes for 2016-17?

A: There will be smaller section next year. Instead of students in a particular grade being divided into three sections of approximately 22 students, they will be divided into six sections of approximately 11 students per section. In each class period of the day, two sections will join together to form a class of approximately 22 students. This small section structure will provide students the opportunity to be in class with a wider variety of students throughout the day than in years past. It will also provide the flexibility to pair up sections for particular classes as needed.