Homerooms are back this year, and many students and staff members are pleased.

BSM was torn about adding homerooms back into the bell schedule this year. The decision was made by a group of 30 teachers and administrators after a series of meetings. It was talked about for around four or five months before the group came to the conclusion that homerooms should be back.

One of the main reasons the administration decided to bring back longer homerooms is to make it possible for some clubs to try and meet during this time. This way, students who have conflicts before or after school can still participate. “We want to be very inclusive and make sure that students with transportation troubles can participate in anything that they want to be a part of,” Dahlstrom said.

Despite the group of administrators and teachers being torn about wanting homerooms back this year, many students are in favor. It is a time for them to get to spend time with people in their grade that they may not usually see as well as a time to get things in order. In the twenty minute period, several students complete last minute homework if needed or talk to teachers about missing work. “I think homerooms are a really good use of time…I usually use the time to finish up homework that is due later that day or teach myself lessons,” sophomore Kate Walesch said.

Teachers think of the time as very beneficial as well. They use this time to check in and build relationships with the students in their homeroom. If students are struggling with certain subjects or homework, homeroom teachers can be a helping hand. “I think homeroom is beneficial and a good use of time because I can bond with my students and teach them life skills,” social studies teacher Megan Kern said.