The Word On Block Classes

The Word on Block Classes

Segment by: Zachary Koontz, 5/3/17

Every year, for a five week stretch near the end of the school year, NICS offers block classes that replace sixth and seventh period every Tuesday for high school students. This year, we had a few ministry options as well, to help us reach our goal to graduate. Ministry blocks included working at the Humane Society, the Hayden Library, doing some yardwork, and gardening. The regular block classes included metal and leatherworking, woodworking, sewing, and medical research, among others. I found myself discussing the block classes with a couple students of North Idaho Christian School, one of whom was Vice-President of the student body, Josh Butcher. When he heard my question, he let out an unearthly scream and then said, “They’re alright. I like them. They’re fun. It’s good to get out of the ‘drawls’ of everyday life…and work with leather. As for new block classes [next year], it’s hard to do something without leaving the campus, yo, but maybe more than, like, craft stuff, but some actual skills.”

There are many opinions one way and the other on whether or not the students like the idea of mixing up the schedule to do something different. One student expressed his strong opinion to me like this: “I do not like them. I think they are a horrible idea. Please get rid of them.” Some had preferred changes to the system of ministry blocks specifically; “I think they are a good idea, but we have less options this year, which makes them less practical,” Emily Lincoln stated. “I like having the ministry option, but I don’t like how if we don’t have them yet, we get forced into [taking them]. Let us scramble at the end of our [senior] year to get our ministry credits if block classes are supposed to be…fun last semester activities. [Ideas for] block classes [could be] painting, baking, and life skill related things.”

I was put into the woodworking block class this year, and so decided to talk to a few of the students there with me. They relayed their relief to me on being in the block class. Instead of having to do sixth and seventh period, they can do something more fun. Block classes are meant to be an escape, so to speak, from daily school life.

    For the future, we can think about whether block classes are beneficial in the long run. Some people may bring up the point that missing two class periods a week in school could make us fall behind. However, it is also important that when we leave school, we know how to use tools or work with leather – things that will perhaps get us a job later in life. Only time will tell if more choices are going to be added next year, or if something changes around ministry credits, but for now, we have 4 more block class days left, and I haven’t finished the desk I’m building yet.