Bell schedule crisis

What’s going on with the bell schedule?

Mechi and Alison Mayen

March 25, 2026

Me when I see the new bell schedule, because I’m scared. Meme designed by Alison Mayen (promotional photo from Home Alone)

Recently, students in Hawkins High School have been complaining about the bell schedule being switched. There was even an Instagram post about students planning to walk out because they heard rumors that teachers had already voted to get rid of CCR. Though there is discussion going on amongst staff about changing the bell schedule for 2026-2027, the part that staff already voted to get rid of CCR is just a rumor. However, there was a survey where it looks as if teachers are leaning towards that outcome.

As a result, the Advocate News is diving into the subject to get feedback from students on what they want to have happen with the bell schedule in 2026-2027. The Advocate News took it upon themselves to create an unofficial survey that would ask students at Hawkins what they felt about the current bell schedule. There were three surveys.

First, it started just among students in the journalism class. Then there was a survey to compare the results of AP Seminar courses to the Journalism classes. Then, it was agreed upon by the editorial board to create a survey so that more students can answer from outside of those two courses.

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There are about 1,000 students at Hawkins High School, and of those 1,000, 37% participated in the survey, which is equal to the number of people who generally vote in a primary election in Los Angeles County. (Election Turnout Los Angeles County)

Asking one ninth-grade student in Period 5 Journalism class in favor of CCR and against nutrition, they said, “CCR is the best. Advisory is like you just sit there and you eat breakfast, you are just waiting until the bell rings. Then you have nutrition, and it is just like a small break and for me, it just takes up time and makes the day longer.” This student was talking about their experience in middle school when they had an advisory.

When asked how they feel now that they are in high school and are experiencing College and Career Readiness at Hawkins High School, below is how they responded.

“CCR class, that makes it [school] more interesting. So I’d rather have the current bell schedule because I have been used to it.”

At the time of this article, there was a request for quotes from students who do not like the current bell schedule, but no one stepped up. However, results of the unofficial Advocate News survey are posted, including comments from students explaining why they responded as they did.

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Our Goal

Your generous donation will support the student journalists at Augustus F. Hawkins High School. It will allow us to print the newspaper and mental health magazine, purchase or repair equipment, cover our annual awards banquet and other expenses.

Su generosa donación apoyará a los estudiantes periodistas de la Escuela Secundaria Augustus F. Hawkins. Nos permitirá imprimir el periódico y la revista de salud mental, comprar o reparar equipos, cubrir nuestro banquete anual de premios y otros gastos.

About the Contributors

Mechi, reporter

Mechi is in the 9th grade (class of 2029) and this is their first time experiencing journalism. However, they are not really new to Hawkins. Mechi has three cousins who attended Hawkins HS. “Two graduated and one is doing online school.” Mechi doesn’t like being a journalist because “we have to do a lot of work. Really, it’s just hard to talk about myself.” After high school, they plan to find a job and go wherever their future takes them. We’ll see how Mechi feels in 2028.

Alison Mayen, Photographer

Alison Mayen (she, her) is a senior class of 2026 graduating class. She used to spend her afternoons at practice for the school dance team. However, this year she’s dedicating herself to school and being the Dance Team’s team manager. In her free time, she likes to binge read books, watch superhero shows and procrastinate everything in life. She enjoys going out with her friends and capturing memories by taking pictures. She used to be a dog person until she got a beautiful beige cat named Romeo, who she calls her son. Her future ambitions are to attend a college here in Los Angeles to get an Associates degree and become a Radio-graphic Technician.