On December 13, Ayala announced the schedule for final exams. With a slight change from previous years, administration decided to include a 30-minute lunch break and reinforce stricter rules regarding zero period classes. Differing from typical semesters, the final dates fall on Tuesday, December 17 and Wednesday, December 18 instead of a Wednesday and Thursday.
The schedule can be found on the Ayala Homepage and through an email from Assistant Principal Mrs. Patricia Durham. Former students quickly noticed the change and several zero period teachers made adjustments to their class schedule after hearing the news.
“I’m not sure I see the point of a longer lunch. I think a lot of people like how early school would end before,” Kate Lee (9) said. “But I can understand why it was decided because eating is important to do well on tests.”
Finals Schedule (2024-2025):
(Day 1 Odd Periods | Day 2 Even Periods)
Per. 0 (discretion of the teacher): 7:00 – 8:29
Per. 1/2: 8:35 – 10:04
Per. 3/4: 10:10 – 11:39
Lunch: 11:39 – 12:09
Per. 5/6: 12:15 – 1:44
Finals Schedule (2023-2024):
(Day 1 Odd Periods | Day 2 Even Periods)
Per. 1/2: 8:35 – 10:04
Per. 3/4: 10:10 – 11:39
Lunch: 11:39 – 12:50
Per. 5/6: 12:56 – 1:25
Prior to the shift in schedule, the school implemented a 10-minute nutrition break from 11:39 to 11:49 and allowed zero period teachers to choose when their classes met. With stricter enforcement, zero period students can expect to arrive at school 32 minutes earlier, but enjoy a longer breather during the afternoon.
“It gives us a break to clear our minds and to study more during lunch,” Julie Zhao (10) said.
Many students would rather have the time to eat lunch in between classes in exchange for a slightly longer school day. The new policy also aligns with recent recommendations by the California Department of Education (CDE).
According to the CDE, “[We] strongly encourage schools to ensure their students have adequate time to eat after being served in order to maximize the nutritional benefits of the meal pattern.”
However, some Bulldogs are not looking forward to waking up earlier for their zero period classes despite the longer break.
“I don’t think the earlier start was a good decision for zero periods,” Cassie Du (11) said. “Most zero periods I know don’t have finals anyway, so I don’t see the point in making us start at seven.”
