This year, NASH students have likely noticed a new addition to the schedule–monthly activity periods. While activity periods have been around for years, the advent of them becoming weekly is new for this school year.

The administrative decision comes as many students are feeling the pressure from classes, clubs, and other work. The activity periods provide a valuable chunk of time for students to do what they need to get done without taking time away from their lives outside of school.

The monthly activity periods were, first and foremost, a student idea.

“We have been getting significant student feedback requesting more times for clubs and activities to meet,” Lead Teacher Mr. Karolski said.

Many students may remember the “Wellness Wednesdays” program from the 2020-2021 school year during the COVID lockdown. The lockdown of 2020 had many extenuating, unprecedented circumstances that made such a thing possible that do not exist now, but student feedback indicated that many at NASH missed the extra time.

“With many students looking back to the Wellness Wednesday’s of the 2020-2021 school year,” said Karolski. “Though we could not bring it back to that extent, we piloted an activity period at the beginning of the year and the feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of continuing and expanding them.”

There is a precedent for activity periods in non-pandemic times, as well.

Assistant Principal Garrett Miller explained, “Mr. Buchak was involved with incorporating activities into the school day in his previous role at Marshall Middle School, and I was actually involved in piloting a similar program at the district I previously worked at, so we both were able to experience the benefits first-hand. Additionally, Mr. Karolski has been an integral part as our Student Activities Director getting this program up and running.”

There is a plethora of activities at NASH at any given time of year, and with most students involved in one or more clubs or sports, it can be difficult to manage their extracurricular activities, schoolwork, social life, and still get enough relaxation time. The activity periods provide time to do any of the aforementioned activities built into the school day.

Students can either stay in their homeroom to work on classwork or just simply relax, or they can sign up to go to various clubs or other classes to visit and work.

Said Karolski, “At NASH we have so many opportunities for involvement within the school, but students frequently find that given their academic course load and outside demands finding time for clubs, activities, and academic support can be difficult.”

Miller also emphasized the fact that more time during the day could actually increase student participation in extracurriculars. Even with the high number of already enrolled, many students can now join clubs and activities who may otherwise have not had the time.

“Our idea was even further supported by one of North Allegheny School District Goals “#3 Empowering Students,” specifically with the district’s goal of increasing the percentage of students who participate in a school-sponsored club or activity in all secondary grades,” he said.

The schedule change has not come without its challenges, however. One particular sticking point was the need to coordinate schedules between NAI and NASH for students who need to transfer between the two schools throughout the day. With lots of hard work by staff from both schools, though, the issues with the transferring of students on these days has been mitigated.

Another topic of debate was the reduction in class time. More time for activities means less time for class, which is inevitable barring any drastic changes in school hours. However, with the periods only reducing class time by a few minutes each, and the periods only occurring once a month, disruption has been minimal.

So far, though, feedback from both students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Many of the clubs at NASH have been taking full advantage of the activity periods this year. One of the clubs that has been the most active during these periods has been Gathering Hope.

Micah DeAngelo, a member of Gathering Hope, has been very appreciative of the extra time to meet for Bible study every month and to plan charitable work.

“Many students are busy after school, so it is a really nice opportunity,” he said. “Gathering Hope has grown a ton because of this, and it is a great community that means a lot to me and many others.”

Miller explained that, as of now, roughly 70% of students use the periods for school sponsored activities, and roughly 30% for studying or catching up with teachers. Miller hopes that over time, the percentage of students using the time for school sponsored activities will increase.

“Ideally, I think our team would love to see as much participation in school-sponsored clubs and activities as possible,” he said, “but I have yet to personally receive any negative feedback from students with the incorporation of activity periods.”