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By Lena Pearson

For the Clemmons Courier

As the Titans wrap up their last few freedom-filled days of summer vacation, students are preparing to jump back into the familiar routines of the school year. However, due to a recent WS/FCS Board of Education decision, the 2024-2025 school year looks a bit different.

The change causes the school year to begin earlier in August and conclude later in May, but the implementation of the new schedule inevitably shortened the 2024 summer. Although the new calendar will balance out following this school year, the Titans have voiced their opinions on having two less weeks than usual of their summer vacation.

Summer is typically a time used to make every moment count, so the shortened break has halted much of the enjoyment that students get from their time off. Especially for the rising seniors who planned on living their final summer to the fullest, their experience was significantly impacted. 

“Personally, I’m in no rush to get out of high school. I wish my last summer hadn’t been shortened so I could take more trips or spend more time with friends and family,” senior Katherine Ezell said. “In the past summers, August was the month that I got to hang out with people the most, so I’m not getting to do that as much this year.”

For the students who utilize their summer break by working and earning money, the shortened summer cuts into the time that could be used to grow a savings account. 

“Having a shorter summer hasn’t really affected me since I have only been working, but I am still working less than I could with a normal summer,” junior Tristan Sheek said. 

While many students are upset by the noticeably shorter break, others look on the bright side. Summer can be busy and it’s easy to go the whole vacation without seeing a friend or two. The less time away from school can be beneficial to staying connected to one’s peers.

“I often find it difficult to spend time with my friends over the summer, so the shortened time actually means I’ll see my friends sooner,” senior Gray Dimock said.

Now that the calendar has changed, the dates of certain events have shifted with it. Midterm exams, typically given after winter break, will now be given before the time off. Some students note that this will be a positive aspect of the calendar change.

“The reduced time means that midterms get to be before winter break, meaning I don’t have to study and stress for Christmas,” Dimock said.

Although the start of the upcoming school year looks different than it has in the past, the Titans will be ready to face the change, full of excitement for what the year holds.