WOODBURY — Getting to class on time has always been a battle among staff and students at Nonnewaug High School. For the 2022-23 year, NHS introduced a four-minute passing period. In previous years, students had five minutes to get to and from classes before they were marked tardy. 

With around 700 kids stomping the halls during just four minutes, some students find it difficult to get to class on time due to the barricade of backpacks.

“It makes it a little difficult to get to ag sometimes,” says senior Ryan Wicklund, “but I just walk faster.” 

Voyaging from the agriscience building to the main building can be difficult to do in just four minutes, but there are also long treks through trafficked stairwells in the academic building.

“If I have a class across the school, [it’s hard because] so many people are trying to get to so many places at once,” says Emily Lungarini, a senior.

Teachers at NHS seem to like the new four-minute passing time and do not see an issue with it.

“I think students are getting to class on time,” says Karen Sandor, a Spanish teacher.

In addition, students say they would rather have less passing time than the many other changes that have been made this year. 

“There’s way worse things they changed in this school than the four-minute passing period,” says Wicklund, referring to the new e-hallpass system and the move to seven-period days instead of block days.

As the school year continues to go on, NHS staff and students will continue to navigate within the four minutes.