Overcrowding, conflicting classes affect students

By: Derek Byrne

Students complete scheduling forms in December, requesting classes in hopes of constructing the perfect schedule. However, as the year begins in August, some students find themselves with class lineups that aren’t quite what they previously assembled.

Senior Melanie Holmgren was one of several students denied the opportunity to take a class due to insufficient space for enrollment.

“I had wanted to take AP World History, but the class was full,” Melanie said. “I already have enough social science credits, so losing AP World doesn’t hurt me. However, I’d been looking forward to the class for a few years now.”

Counselor Judith Wake assisted Melanie in looking for alternative options.

“Dr. Wake called me during the summer to let me know,” Melanie said. “She was very helpful in trying to come up with other options.”

Melanie’s schedule could not accommodate any other classes without conflict. Wake also explored the option to have Holmgren attend a class at another school.

“She looked into several different classes at both Staley and Winnetonka, but none of them could be fit into my schedule without having to drop other classes,” Melanie said. “Dr. Wake eventually gave me a TA block, since there weren’t any available classes that interested me.”

Melanie said she understands why schedule changes must occur.

“I know Dr. Wake did everything she could to help me,” Melanie said. “I guess I expected to have scheduling conflicts this year, with the district’s budget cuts and my AP classes. It sucks that I can’t take an eighth class, but I can’t blame anyone for the problem.”

Scheduling created problems for others as well. Freshman Natalie Holmgren, junior Kayla Smith and senior Max Pfleiderer encountered conflicts as some of their requested classes were scheduled during the same block.

Natalie had to adjust her original class choices in order to construct an acceptable schedule.

“French I interfered with challenge physics, and I didn’t want to give up French. The counseling staff suggested other classes I could take,” Natalie said. “I am now taking challenge chemistry. The outcome is OK, but I won’t have any friends in a sophomore class.”

Smith intended to take band and journalism II-newspaper. Both classes are offered only during block 1A, in addition to journalism II-yearbook. At least three students faced conflicts between music and journalism.

“[The conflict] was not resolved, although I don’t know why,” Smith said. “It seemed like a fairly big problem. I really would have liked them to see that there are a handful of people that are affected a lot by this and that they should change it.”

Smith found an alternative to taking both classes, but she is unsatisfied with the approach she must now take.

“I was not happy with the outcome at all. In order to be in band and on the newspaper staff I have to take a journalism laboratory block instead of the actual class,” Smith said. “I can still get my work done, but it’s ten times harder because I’m not with the staff when decisions or changes are made.”

Pfleiderer hoped to take college calculus II and music theory, but encountered a similar conflict.

“Calc II and music theory were the same block and both classes were only offered once,” Pfleiderer said. “I had to take calc II, but music theory was a little more optional.”

Pfleiderer turned to an independent study, which will give him an opportunity to learn music theory.

“I had to adjust to music theory, and they offered it independent study,” Pfleiderer said. “I’d still like to take it with the other kids, but you take what you can get.”

Smith also sees the necessity in accepting alternatives to conventional classes.

“Even though this makes school more difficult for me personally, I understand that the counselors can’t make everyone happy,” Smith said.