This year, Hempfield High School implemented a new system for students' daily schedules. The WIN period, which stands for What I Need, replaced what was previously a flex period and operates on a five-day schedule, with each session taking place during the final period of the day and corresponding with a class the student has. For example, during WIN 1, students will meet with their first-period teacher; WIN 2, they will meet with their second-period teacher; and so forth. During the final period in the cycle, WIN 5, students will be able to meet with their club of choice during the school day, which includes pre-existing clubs and those created by teachers for the new schedule.

"The old flex period was in the middle of the day, which made it difficult to line students up with teachers that they had classes with," said Bill Brossman, the 11th grade principal at Hempfield. "The new system gives students access to all of their teachers, and if a student needs to leave early, they're missing out on less instructional time."

The new system allows students an extra 42 minutes of time to discuss lessons and address concerns with their teachers and was designed to strengthen the connections between students and faculty throughout the school. "In a school this size, it's all about connections and how well students and teachers bond. We want to build up school culture," said Brossman.

Brossman stated that the system has received positive feedback from teachers, who enjoy seeing their own students during the period and feel it serves a greater purpose than the previous flex period. Several teachers are creating clubs for the WIN 5 period for things such as tabletop games and pickup basketball in the gymnasium. Currently, all students meet with their grade level during the WIN 5 period for class-specific meetings; freshmen have had meetings to help them become oriented with the school and sophomores participated in teambuilding activities outdoors. The school plans to begin implementing clubs in the WIN 5 period during the next marking period in November.

The WIN system has additionally allowed more time in teachers' schedules to be in the cafeteria during lunch periods and connect with students. Dubbed "Cafe Connection Time," each lunch period now has around 10 teachers present. "It gives the building a different feel," said Brossman. "It's been an added bonus to the new cycle."