By Vanessa Fusco and Nicole Pagliaro
Hive Choice, a new program at Branford High School that offers the opportunity to participate once a week in a non-academic activity of their choosing – cornhole, crocheting, Uno for example – has gotten some mixed reviews so far from students and staff.
“I think we need time in our days to take care of ourselves, kids and teachers,” said Jennifer Tucker, an English teacher who helped organize the Hive program. “I know some students are skipping Hive.”
In order to organize this new program, students fill out a survey and pick their top three activity choices. Some activities offered this year include: podcasts, film noir, fantasy football, karaoke, true crime discussion, bocce, and even quiet study hall. Students select a new option each quarter. Quarter four Hive Choice begins this Thursday.
Students seem to be split between those who love their Hive Choice and students who dislike their hive so much that they skip it and wander the halls.
“I don’t go to my hive because it’s boring,” said senior Dylan Torre, who signed up for open gym. “I usually just go to the cafe.”
“There could be better options,” said senior Matt Gaudioso, who said he hated his Hive Choice so much that he did something besides cut it. “I got my second choice, then my third choice, and then my third choice,” he said. “So I’ve taken it upon myself to lead my own Hive.”
Earlier this month, the school administration began enforcing an unexcused absence policy for all Hive homeroom classes, including the Thursday Hive Choice.
While some students are unhappy with their Hive Choice, others love the new program.
“I get to choose an activity that I enjoy doing and be with friends instead of going to regular homeroom,” said student Giuliana Discher.
The teachers who helped create and organize Hive Choice weren’t only thinking of students when coming up with the idea. They also wanted to give teachers the opportunity to create their own Hive Choice, this way the teachers could enjoy the time too.
“I feel like during the day I want to make sure that our school climate has some fun in it, fun for kids, but also for teachers to enjoy something,” said Tucker.
When creating Hive Choice, teachers wanted students to have the opportunity to relax, unwind, and have fun during their school day.
Dr. Stephen Brown, a teacher who also helped organize the program, said “One of the reasons why we thought this was so cool is to give kids a chance to try something new.”
“We really wanted students to have a voice in what their school day looks like,” said Culinary Arts Teacher Erica O’Brien, who worked with Tucker to create Hive Choice.
But even Tucker admitted that, “not everyone thought it was the best idea” when beginning the new program.
With all the positive and negative feedback it leaves the final question, should Hive Choice continue into future years?
“I absolutely think it should stay,” said Dr. Brown.
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