After numerous rumors have been spread and brains have been rattled, the new schedule has finally arrived. PV students and teachers are experiencing longer class periods, the Pascack Period, and a common lunch. Over the past year, students and teachers alike have been wondering how this new schedule will work and if it will actually help prepare students for college.

Possibly the most controversial part of this new schedule is the common lunch. Students have been questioning how this will work as some of their lunch periods in past years were already filled with a large number of students getting food in the cafeteria. Rumors that not only seniors, but also juniors being allowed to leave for lunch have spread, and rumors of kiosks in the halls and even a new lunchroom have also been tossed around.

“So far so good,” history teacher, Ms. Leah Jerome said in regards to the common lunch. “There will be a lot of growing pains but if everyone works together it can be a really positive experience. So far I think it looks great. Everyone came into the gym orderly, found a seat, and are sitting with friends.”

The PV community will receive its first taste of the 88-minute periods on Wednesday and Thursday.  The first Pascack Period, during which the school will conduct its “Pascack Fair” to introduce students to its initial “Learn To Learn” class options, on Thursday.

This new schedule may be the most difficult on the new seniors who have experienced three years of the old schedule and got accustomed to how it worked. Now, with the pressure of colleges looming right in front of them, they have to adjust to a completely new schedule.

“I think the common lunch is going pretty well. It’s pretty crowded but that’s to be expected when you put (over a thousand) kids on one floor,” senior Jake Boyle said. Boyle also added, “I’m most excited to experience the Pascack Period because I’m teaching a class.”

One man who’s keeping a close watch on the reactions to this new schedule is the man who helped create it all: Principal Tom DeMaio. He has worked hard for the past year trying to perfect every detail and make everyone happy.

“I’m excited and nervous as anyone is with any change.” he said, “The common lunch went better than anticipated. Overall it was a positive experience. I’m really looking forward to the Pascack Period and seeing different courses and how the students get into it. This really is an opportunity for students and teachers to learn together.”