Following its replacement earlier in the school year and its deactivation during the PARCC exam, the VHS administration has made the decision to permanently shut off the bell system that dictated the beginning and end of classes. This decision has generated controversy throughout the school among students and staff alike.

VHS Principal Glenn Cesa provided the Fairviewer with a document explaining the rationale for eliminating the bells. According to Mr. Cesa, this call was made to “promote increased responsibility among our students and produce an improved atmosphere of accountability, respect and an environment conducive to achievement.” He stated that there are very few times in life in which bells/alarms are required to signal the time to go from one place to another and believes that removing them will help prepare students for life when they are older. Additionally, Mr. Cesa addressed the tendency for students to either congregate by the classroom door in anticipation of the bell or wait in the halls for the bell to ring before proceeding to the next class, a situation he believes has been rectified by this decision.

“I have read,” explained Mr. Cesa, “that the elimination of bells has been an emerging trend in high schools and middle schools across the country.” The idea has apparently been considered for a few years, but it was inhibited by the clocks throughout the building not being synchronized. Recently this problem has been corrected, providing uniform time throughout the building and allowing for the decision to be implemented.

The bell system’s removal has been met with a fair amount of negative reception. Technology teacher Pam Burke explained that “a school is typically governed by bells” because “it makes it easier for students and teachers to recognize when it is time to move on.” Additionally, “both students and teachers get caught up in what they are doing and do not realize the time.” Mrs. Burke herself has encountered a number of issues with her classes in the new bell-free school day; these include quarrels with students regarding being late, students attempting to come in for her next class while her current class is still in session, students gathering their belongings and congregating by the door even earlier than before, and discouragement regarding the fact that many of the faculty and students are not aware of why the bells were eliminated.

“Perhaps if our classes started on the hour and ended at 57 (with three minutes passing time) it would make it easier,” Mrs. Burke added. “Also, clocks in the hallway with schedules posted near would be helpful.”

Graphics teacher Helene McKelvey-McLaughlin admitted to liking the bell system’s elimination conceptually, agreeing with Mr. Cesa’s sentiment that it would create a more realistic situation. However, she cites the inconsistency it creates as a major downside. Mrs. McKelvey seconded Mrs. Burke’s experience with students coming to class before the end of the current period and also talked about other who arrive late due to the teachers of their previous class holding them.

The student body appears to be having difficulty adjusting to the school day without bells and have been especially critical of the decision. Junior Jackie Selby described the decision as a “bad idea” and told of students walking out of their classes too early. Freshman Emma Kubacki has acknowledged the lack of a concept of time within the school, explaining that she often has difficulty knowing exactly when class is ending. Senior Rebecca Karpinski stated that she has witnessed students arriving to class even later than before and being scolded as a result.

Not all are opposed to this new administrative decision, though. English teacher Stacey Smith, despite initially being surprised and confused by it, seems to have found a silver lining with the lack of bells. Though she attests to being caught up in what she is doing and neglecting to check the time as a result, Smith finds that it has been beneficial for her classes; since the students no longer have a bell to anticipate, they are less distracted and can remain focused until the very end of the period. It is possible that more of the benefits Mr. Cesa described can come to fruition in the future, but the new bell-free school day will certainly require getting used to.