Paly Principal Jacqueline McEvoy has decided to keep the 2007-08 schedule for the 2008-09 school year, according to an email sent by McEvoy to Paly staff on Friday.

“I have come to the conclusion that we all need more time to thoughtfully process any changes in our bell schedule in order to ensure that those changes are aligned with our core values and reflect our best thinking,” McEvoy stated in the email.

In addition, McEvoy has proposed that the first semester of the 2008-09 school year be used to properly formulate a suitable bell schedule through a school-wide decision-making process. In this process, McEvoy says she is open to student and staff input.

McEvoy thanked members of the Paly community for sharing their thoughts and feedback on the earlier decision announced on April 14 to maintain the current second semester bell schedule, which includes an earlier release on Thursdays and no late starts, for the entire 2008-09 school year.

McEvoy says that she has taken the last two weeks two reflect on her previous decision, as well as on the feedback to voice their opinions as to what is in the best interest of Paly students.

Junior Anne Ciccarelli is appreciative of McEvoy’s decision: “It’s good that she’s taking our ideas into consideration and withdrawing her original plan,” Ciccarelli said.

Paly English teacher Kevin Sharp says he is glad to hear of the change and that this decision is better than the previous one.

“I think it was a good thing that all of the students that contacted her and thoughtfully raise objections to it [the previous decision],” Sharp said. “And I think that it shows that she listened to it, and people should remember that their voice can be heard and they can make a change or make a difference, rather.”

Details on the decision can be found at http://voice.paly.net/view_story.php?id=6640.

The reactions to the bell schedule decision made on April 14 can be found on a variety of platforms:
http://voice.paly.net/view_story.php?id=6650

http://voice.paly.net/view_story.php?id=6668

http://voice.paly.net/view_story.php?id=6646.