After the dust settled from the flurry of changes to the CPS in the summer of 2013 and we are well into the second semester of this year, the high schools included freshmen, school started at nine, and a mandatory Bruin Block was added to the schedules students.
Although it feels like a foreign concept, Bruin Block is essentially just a homeroom. Students are placed in classes with peers who share their grade and counselor, two teachers lead the daily, 30 min. classes, and this group sticks together every year until the students graduate. Meeting before or after lunch, Bruin Block is a way for administrators to get information to students, such as enrolling for classes.
To have advisory and Bruin Block is arguably overkill, but in these two slots of time and classes, different things are being accomplished. With the introduction of Bruin Block, advisory has become purely a time for students to get help from teachers. The time originally taken out of advisory for counselors to meet with students, school assemblies and lessons about planning for the future and healthy habits is now packaged in Bruin Block.
The key to somewhat enjoying your Bruin Block experience comes from having teachers who don’t follow the lesson plans. Having a teacher who only includes activities that are beneficial to the students makes Bruin Block an extra advisory. With the filler lessons out of the way, Bruin Block becomes a time to complete homework or meet with teachers.
Through the haze of annoyance surrounding Bruin Block lies golden treasures. These sparkling gems hold lessons for planning ahead, opportunities to make new friends, and the chance to practice tolerance. An opportunity is as good as you make it, so give Bruin Block an unbiased chance to teach you something, be it how to manage stress or the art of tolerance.
By Alice Yu
Are you in Bruin Block? What do you think of yours?