New Planners Bad for Business
October 12, 2015
Organization is key. It is one of the most vital parts of succeeding in high school, and many who are unable to get organized, cannot meet the workload that De Smet brings, and must transfer. The new planners and the plan to eventually phase out planners altogether will hurt students in the long run.
Previously, Dr, Greg Densberger created the planners. But this year with the influx of new teachers, the planner was created as an afterthought amidst the busy schedule.
The planner’s new design, showing only one day per page, is a large departure from years’ past, which showed the schedule for the entirety of the week. Limiting visibility into what the future of the week holds, preventing possible foresight into events later in the week like masses or assemblies.
However, the extra space for writing assignments is helpful, as it helps detail lengthier and more complicated assignments with ease.
One of the things that allowed the previous planners to be a popular tool among students is the big, easily distinguishable periods marking each time. Each page looks almost identical to the last, making it difficult to distinguish times at a glance. It only takes a few more seconds to examine the page, but it causes students, who are becoming increasingly interested in timeliness are avoiding doing this simple action.
But the scariest thought of all is that De Smet is trying to phase out the planners completely. Planners are an easily accessible way to find the schedule of the day without having to go through outlook. Computers have to be charged. Little paper books do not.
There is talk of keeping planners available and making them optional to students. Hopefully the administration can see the planner’s value to the De Smet community and the strong organization skills that it helps build.
Joshua Becher • Dec 8, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Hello,
I am a sophomore, and I completely agree about the planner. I would have added the fact that the Student Parent Handbook was missing from this year’s edition of the planner. Within the first few days of the school year, I had signed paperwork saying I had read it. However, I didn’t realize until a week or two later that the only way to find, much less read, the handbook was by using an obscure web site.
Otherwise, this is a very accurate article, and I praise the staff for including this issue.
Thanks,
Joshua Becher
Joshua Becher • Dec 8, 2015 at 1:33 pm
I completely agree with what you said regarding the planners. However, I must add a detail of my own- the lack of the Student Parent handbook.
During the first few weeks of the 2015 school year (I am a sophomore), I was instructed to read the “Student Parent Handbook” and fill out paperwork stating I read said handbook. I had assumed the paperwork was referring to the handbook in general, so I signed it and turned it in. However, I was notified approximately three WEEKS