By Nelson Rerko

When was the last time you had a teacher skip their class’s Bulldog Time? Probably not very long ago. Bulldog Time needs to start being respected and utilized more by teachers.

Bulldog Block is a half-hour time period in each block every Wednesday, which allows students to get help from teachers with work, remediate tests or quizzes, or just finish homework they have that day. Despite all the positive effects Bulldog Block seemingly has, some teachers at BHS decide to not respect the rules and choose to continue teaching through the half-hour, rather than giving students extra help. 

I sat down with Bob Dietz, the associate principal at BHS, to get some answers about Bulldog Block. He first explained to me how the implementation of the new Bulldog Block could be part of the cause of teachers not using the time allotted.  

The old Bulldog Block, which used to be a whole block long, was designed to help students conference with teachers and get additional guidance. This system on paper seems to be the best way of going about the situation, without having a study hall. “Students began to take advantage of the free period, and were not utilizing the time given – leaving school, getting in trouble,” Dietz said. “We had a lot more of a dean’s presence during those times.” 

Because of students acting like this, the rules were changed. They were changed to how they are now, a half-hour at the end of each block, with during that time available, getting help from that teacher on that subject. 

Some teachers see this new way as a waste of time and may continue to teach during the half-hour. 

“I would guess that if the teachers don’t find it useful, those are the same ones who use the time for teaching,” Dietz said. 

He did add, however, that he felt more than the majority of the teachers respected the rules of Bulldog Block here at the high school. 

Bulldog Block may never be perfect, but it sure is a good attempt at a substitute for a study hall at the school, which can benefit any student.