Block Ei8ht is the newest part of NDB’s schedule. Instead of calling it Collaboration like in years past, the new B-day study time is now called Block Ei8ht, and it gives time for students to make up tests, talk with teachers, get work done and do test corrections. This is a great time for students who do not have time after school due to sports, work or other extracurricular activities to be productive. However, despite this coveted time for students, this year and even years prior when it was called Collaboration, there have been times when Block Ei8ht has been taken away because of other events. With this, students want to have more academic Block Ei8hts during their busy schedule of school and extracurricular activities.
Despite Block Ei8ht being taken away, it is important to note that when we do lose Block Ei8ht, it is typically because of assemblies, rallies and more. Assemblies are incredibly important for the students, as they can bring important and necessary information to NDB. Additionally, assemblies are a good opportunity for NDB to bring in guest speakers to share their stories and leave a positive impact on students. Rallies are, of course, one of the best parts of NDB. They allow students to let loose and create memories with their friends and classmates through activities like roll call and, of course, the fun games. These games include dodgeball, fashion shows and a recent one from the Ding Bat Rally, Just Dance. All of this is thanks to ASB. With these important parts of NDB, however, it takes away the time that students benefit from greatly.
“We do want students to feel that they have time to check in with their teachers, make up tests, work on college applications, whatever it is,” said NDB Head of School Meredith Essalat ‘98. “I want everybody to feel content and fulfilled in everything that they have and do here. So, if we need more academic time, we can work to make more academic time.”
Students value this time which is why, when it is taken away, students feel frustrated. This is because Block Ei8ht is a valuable time for tests to be taken or corrected and for teachers to meet with students. So, when this is taken away, it sometimes has to eat into students’ lunch time or even before or after school. Everybody is busy, so taking moments out of a student’s lunch period or their time before or after school can be harmful. This illustrates how crucial having Block Ei8ht is and the necessity of keeping it in the B-day schedule. With this point in mind, at least one academic Block Ei8ht must be integrated into the weekly schedule.
“We want to continue to prioritize what our students want and need. So, if that is [an academic Block Ei8ht weekly], we can definitely work to make that happen,” added Essalat.
While NDB has technically only “lost” a couple of Block Ei8ht’s because of assemblies, rallies and even early dismissals and late starts, it is important to note that students feel as though their valuable time to make up tests and talk to teachers in their busy schedules is being taken away from them. And while NDB does a fantastic job to make sure every student on campus is taken care of and given the resources they need to succeed in their academics and sports, Block Ei8ht is an exceptionally useful time for NDB students, and an academic Block Ei8ht needs to occur at least once a week.
