October 1, 2025 was picture day at Poland Seminary High School, and it included major changes in the schedule. In previous years, the students get their pictures taken during their English class periods.  However this year, each grade level got called down to take their pictures at the same time. After interviewing with people around the school, we found that this change was very beneficial to all attending. 

After speaking with English teacher, Mr DiPietro, he stated the new schedule positively affected his classes and “felt as though the new picture schedule was truly helpful”.

Mr. DiPietro claims it was helpful because “students were pulled out only one class period which allowed for easier planning of the day’s lesson.” 

Pulling the students out only in English caused the students trouble getting on task after taking their photos. It can also be challenging for teachers when planning for that day. 

Mr. DiPietro said they should keep up this way of planning, due to its efficiency, even claiming that it “helped teachers maximize their class time more effectively.”

English teachers all around the school are benefiting from the new and improved way of scheduling. They no longer are behind in planning and missing students for large portions of each period.

As for the students, they claimed they enjoyed the new strategy.

Lena Schafer, Sophomore, said, “I did like the change because I got the opportunity to take my photos second period rather than waiting until my English class”.  

Antonio Dedo enjoys the change because “us students aren’t being put behind in class.”   

The previous method caused all students to lose valuable learning time in their English classes. The new method pulled the whole grade out of one class and was much quicker.

Aside from the academic portion, taking pictures in the morning periods benefits the students with an afternoon English class.

Avery Zmith, Sophomore, said that when the picture was taken earlier in the day “prevents me from looking bad after already being in school”. 

Like Zmith, Shafer says she enjoyed it for the same reason.

Shafer said taking the pictures in the first two periods “ ensured that my clothes and hair stayed neat for my photos”. 

Overall, teachers and students had more time to work in class and the students felt more confident when smiling for their yearbook picture.