Due to updates to Texas’s attendance guidelines, Flex for the 2023-2024 school year was shortened to 20 minutes, as opposed to the previous year’s 40. This greatly inhibited student’s free time, and the majority of students were disappointed in the shortening. Recently, a Google Form was shared in the weekly Warrior Update asking students’ opinions on Flex, sharing that the administration was considering cutting Flex entirely. After hearing this news, many students are scared of losing their valuable break time. But Round Rock ISD should know that Flex is a integral part of student life at Westwood, and should not be removed.
Students use flex to do homework or study, which is a vital part of Westwood student life. Between rigorous AP and IB classes and multiple extracurriculars, students often come to school early and get home late, which makes for a busy schedule with little time for anything else. Flex provides a time for students to do assignments they might not have time to do otherwise and also provides a time for them to work on group projects or get help from their peers.
Many students use Flex to take a test, quiz, or talk to a teacher. With the intensive academics and busy schedules, students frequently need to retake tests and quizzes. Many also need to talk to teachers about make-up assignments after missing school, and student’s and teacher’s schedules don’t always line up. Because of this, a period where both teachers and students are free is a necessity.
Flex can also be a time to hang out with friends. Many students enjoy Flexing into their favorite teacher’s classroom to play a game or just to talk. It provides a break from a difficult schedule, and students rely on it to spend time with their classmates, especially those whom they might not have a class with or see very often. If students only had classes and no free time, they would struggle more in school.
Further, Flex is also the only viable time for many clubs to have meetings, and if it’s cut, many clubs will have a much more difficult time organizing. Additionally, many clubs hold officer meetings during Flex, and oftentimes, students are busy both before and after school, making Flex fundamental to the functionality of clubs.
If the Round Rock ISD school district gets rid of Flex, lunch periods will be extended by 20 minutes. While some might see this as a fair trade-off, it will have negative consequences. Lunch is automatically assigned at the beginning of the year, which means that students can’t choose who they’re with or where they are, but they can during Flex, giving students agency.
Flex is an essential part of Westwood student life, and if it is not kept the way it is, it needs to be extended more. When Flex was shortened, disappointment was voiced, and the best solution would be to expand it back to 40 minutes so that students have an opportunity complete tasks that they may not be able to do after school.
Serena • May 21, 2024 at 12:08 pm
First, I would like to say Flex is very necessary for students. I get a lot of book reading for English and short math homework done there. I am so glad this article is written. Not only are there relevant arguments why Flex is so important, but it is also written in a very organized structure.
Yonnie Yang • May 21, 2024 at 11:50 am
I’m very glad there are articles on this subject that share the students’ opinions and allow for debate if needed. I agree that flex is a very important part of students’ daily life, and really give many students time to study that is absolutely crucial.
Arhaan Jafri • May 21, 2024 at 11:41 am
I agree so much with this article. It definitely talks about the importance of Flex and how it is vital for students. The shortening of Flex has severely impacted students life, and need to be reconsidered.
Ayesha Shahzad • May 21, 2024 at 11:40 am
I like how this article brings attention to a topic that is up in the air for students here at Westwood. Flex being necessary is an appropriate topic as it is somewhat controversial. It shows us some background information that we may have not known.
Tianwen • May 20, 2024 at 9:51 am
I love the flow of the article! The article does an amazing job in making sure that every reader including new students who didn’t know that there were changes to the flex system.
Emmanuelle Volfson • May 20, 2024 at 9:50 am
YES!!! FINALLY!!! THANK YOU!!! Not only is Flex needed as a period of time to catch up on schoolwork but it can also give someone a well needed and a much deserved mental, physical, or emotional mental break.
R Sur • May 20, 2024 at 9:40 am
I completely agree, flex has become such an important part of my day and I can’t imagine going back to school next year and not having flex. Even though it is very short and it’s pretty hard to get much work done during the class period, it is still a very helpful break in my day and gives me time to study and catch up on work.
Addy • May 20, 2024 at 9:37 am
I agree that flex is very important and needs to stay. There have been times when I missed multiple days of school in a row, and my only opportunity to get back on schedule was during flex.
R Caudle • May 20, 2024 at 9:29 am
I think flex should be longer, and they definitely shouldn’t get rid of it completely. I think the Texas attendance laws are getting too strict.
Aysha • May 20, 2024 at 9:20 am
Flex is very necessary for students! It gives them time to catch up on work or just hang out to chill with friends,
Leah Kardonik • May 20, 2024 at 9:15 am
I believe is extremely fundamental for the life at Westwood. I really like the argument stated here and the good justification for why flex should stay. I think it was clever to bring up how longer lunch is a good trade off for no flex, but then they mention how you can not even choose which lunch you are in; while flex you can choose where you go.