![Senior Ben DeFilippis flies during the homecoming candidates' performance at a rally. [Vivienne Tran]](http://smhsponyexpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ben-rally-color-e1507653915314-1200x512.jpg)
San Marin’s rally schedule was changed to accommodate for an 8:00 a.m. start time and a 2:45 p.m. seventh-period dismissal this year. The new schedule includes 40-minute classes and a 45-minute rally slot, which is an extension from the previous schedule’s 30-minute rallies and 47-minute classes. The change accompanies NUSD’s decision to modify all high school schedules for 8:00 a.m. start times.
“Novato High has had 45-minute rallies, so when the bell schedules were redone for the eight a.m. start, I believe that the bell schedules were synced and it resulted in our longer rallies,” said second-year leadership and ASB teacher Michelle LeMieux.
Rallies are not the only events affected by the change.
“The rally schedule is not only for rallies, and can be used for assemblies, as it has been in the past,” said LeMieux.
While leadership had no part in the schedule change, the class plans on taking advantage of the extra time. Leadership is thinking of adding band and cheer performances at rallies to fill extra time and involve more students. Senior Michael Barr, ASB President, and fourth-year leadership student expressed his desire to include more students in games this year and have new students participate in each rally.
Rallies and required rally attendance have been polarizing issues because some students feel uncomfortable at the events, but have no other options.
“I like everything about rallies except going to them. I like the spirit, not the yelling.” said sophomore Emilie Rasmussen. “I want somewhere else to go.”
Barr said the leadership class is thinking of ways to create a smaller group activity for students who are uncomfortable at rallies to participate in instead.
