For this year’s monthly late-start days, school begins at 9:30 a.m., 30 minutes later than in the previous school year. In the past, late-start days included an hour-long lunch, as SDA normally has on Wednesdays. Now, however, the lunch time has been reduced to 35 minutes. Classes are an hour and 10 minutes, with 10 minute breaks scheduled between period one and two, as well as period three and four.

The decision to change the schedule took place over the summer, and Principal Tim Hornig said that it was neccesary to “carve out more time to do what we need to do [in staff meetings].”

 “[These late starts allow] more time for teachers in the morning to collaborate, and hopefully students will be able to see the results in the classroom,” said Hornig.

Students responded to the changed schedule with mixed opinions. “I like the idea of  having more time for a big breakfast in the morning now,” said senior Sammy Ness.

 “I think it was healthier for me to wake up later. I probably saved money too,” said senior Suki Berry.

 Senior Jordan Manzanares, however, feels it was wrong to remove hour lunch. “It sucks that they changed it. It is a sacred hour that shouldn’t have been removed,” said Manzanares.