Why is it that now every Thursday during Bulldog Block, the freshman class has a meeting? The teacher at Chelsea High School, Laura Lutz, had a key role in deciding to implement these meetings into the freshman’s schedules.

“Freshmen are new to the school,” Lutz said. “So what does high school look like vs. middle school?”

The board of teachers decided it was important to highlight the different features between middle school and high school. Along with the new habits, freshmen would have to adapt to high school life.

“Last year, when teachers would see unfavorable behavior, they would react accordingly. Lutz explained that “we were being reactionary instead of proactive.”

Together, they decided that it would be better to start the year off with a predetermined set of expectations for the incoming freshmen. Unfortunately, the meetings can take up precious work time and cut into club meetings.

“Every Bulldog Block has things scheduled every time. There’s no way to avoid it.” Lutz said.   

While the teachers were aware of the scheduling complications of these assemblies, they were trying not to disturb people’s schedules. They simply chose the best possible time and decided the good outweighed the bad. However, the freshmen have their own opinions on the meetings.

“It would be nice if I could get my homework done in Bulldog Block instead.” Freshman Alice Korner said

Students have two bulldog blocks a week, and there is a big difference in workload between middle and high school. Some might feel giving up their limited in-school work time is unfavorable.

Connor Harrison (’27) says the meetings affect his workload “a little bit” and he would like to have that time to himself.

However, the common consensus among freshmen seems to be that while people would enjoy having Bulldog Block available, it is nice to get the extra information from the meetings about events that happen exclusively in high school.

While some don’t like the assemblies at all, others think a different time would be better and most definitely understand the need.

Harrison agrees that the meetings are necessary, but they could be scheduled on a different day, like “Tuesday Bulldog Block instead of Thursday; there’s a lot of work towards the end of the week that piles up if people don’t do it,” Harrison said.

Lutz hopes all who read this understand that these meetings are not held as a punishment for freshmen. but instead because “If we start a culture and have it grow, then everybody feels involved.”