Every Wednesday at Saint Louis an assembly is held after first period, which include middle school and high school students. When there isn’t a mass, the school makes the students interact with one another through motivational speeches, group activities or special performances. The assemblies are supposed to have the students involved and engage with one another. Unfortunately, the students don’t feel that the assemblies are necessary. I did a public survey around school, and interviewed different students around campus, asking them about their thoughts and opinions about assembly. I interviewed 40 students, the majority of which were upperclassmen. I asked them about how they feel during the motivational speeches, group activities and performances. They all agreed that assemblies, in their opinion, are a waste of their time. Everyone from the interview, stated that they do not enjoy attending assemblies. The students believe that there should be a productive study period at least once a month.

If a study period were to be an assembly day, students can work or study for upcoming classes. There could be a lower rate of missing assignments, if the students take advantage of the period. This period can also help those who are struggling in school. It can be beneficial for them, if they work on the subject where they currently are struggling in. The extra study period can also help students who are in extracurricular activities after school. It also saves time for the students who wouldn’t want to participate in the traditional assembly. The study period can save the school money from the people who perform at assembly.  

There is also a solution for those who are still willing to participate at assemblies. There can be an option for students to attend the assembly. Those who choose to not to attend the  assembly can go to a study hall period at certain locations of the school. The rest of the students may participate at the assembly location. This gives the students a choice whether or not they feel that the assembly is necessary.  

After gathering the student’s opinions and listening to their solutions, I then reported it to Mr. Casupang and Mrs. Vegas. Mr. Casupang believes that he’s open for suggestions from the students and is willing to change, but he still believes that assemblies are for the students to interact with one another, having firm beliefs with keeping the motivational speakers and group activities. He believes that the motivational speakers spread a positive message to the students, even if everyone isn’t giving them their full attention.  Mr. Casupang shared his input on the students not enjoying assemblies, believing it’s a waste of time. He believes that the students should suggest activities and performers/performances to their interest for assemblies, instead of adding a study hall period. Mr. Casupang does believe in the benefits that could happen if the system were to be implemented. Mrs. Vegas believes that the purpose of assemblies are for the students.  Each assembly is carefully planned for the students. She responded, “Not all assemblies will be appealing to all students, but we do our best to bring in a variety of guest speakers and entertainers to meet the needs of our student body.” She loves the students opinions and feedback, but she wants a better solution for students to be more engaged. An extended study period is unnecessary because student have scheduled advisory and tutorial. The students should be managing their time wiser.  It’s just another excuse to have a free period and not a valid solution. Stating, “The student should suggest topics of interest for them to be more engaged for the future assemblies.”  Each assembly is carefully planned for the students, Mrs. Vegas stated that she gets positive feedback about the assemblies from students and alumni. “The assemblies are for the students to interact with one another. Connecting each of the students to form the brotherhood at Saint Louis.”

Both faculty members disagree about the addition of a study hall period. They do love the feedback and criticism, but both would rather stick to the same assembly schedule. There should be more student suggestions to improve the assemblies. They want students to interact at assemblies instead of study periods. That being said, the assemblies won’t be changing anytime soon.